Charity calls for ban on 'suicide sites'

 

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By Steve Malone

Posted on 5 Sep 2006 at 11:09

A suicide prevention charity is warning of the growing problem of assisted suicides using the Internet. The group is seeking an urgent review of the Suicide Act (1961) and for the UK to follow the example of Australia, where it is illegal for Internet sites to publish material that has the sole purpose of encouraging and aiding suicide.

The warning was given by the organisation, PAPYRUS, the national charity for prevention of young suicide.

Under the Act is it illegal for anyone to assist another person to kill themselves. However, the charity says that websites that give detailed accounts of how to kill oneself, together with an assessment of 'best' methods are clearly aiding and abetting anyone who may be considering committing suicide.

The group claims that there have been 15 Internet-related suicide cases in the UK in the last five years. But the organisation also claims that the full extent of the problem is unclear as official data is not recorded. Worldwide suicide related to information found on the Internet is recognised as a significant and growing problem.

The warning comes in advance of World Suicide Prevention Day this Sunday.

For more details and for help with any considering committing suicide contact www.papyrus-uk.org.