The law on assisting suicide applies equally to online and off-line actions 
(23/09/2008)
Suicide ceased to be a crime in 1961 but under section 2 of the Suicide Act 1961, it remains an offence to “aid, abet, counsel or procure” a suicide or a suicide attempt. The law on assisting suicide is to be simplified to increase public understanding and reassure people that it applies as much on the internet as it does off-line, said Justice Minister Maria Eagle.
Following a review of the Suicide Act 1961, the Government has decided to reframe it in new, modern language that will make it easier for individual internet users and internet-based businesses, such as Internet Service Providers (ISPs) to understand.
UK ISPs already take down any websites under their control when notified that they contain illegal material and are free to restrict access to harmful or tasteless material in accordance with their ‘acceptable use’ policies. Simplifying the law should help them in doing this.
Responding to public concern about the links made between suicide and the internet, Justice Minister Maria Eagle said: “Protecting vulnerable and young people must be a priority and a responsibility for us all. Suicide is a tragic phenomenon, especially for the families and friends left behind. There is no magic solution to protecting vulnerable people online. Updating the language of the Suicide Act, however, should help to reassure people that the internet is not a lawless environment and that we can meet the challenges of the digital world.
“It is important, particularly in an area of such wide public interest and concern, for the law to be expressed in terms that everyone can understand. We continue to work with the internet industry to look at long-term ways to keep people safe and without jeopardising our freedom of speech.”
Child psychologist Tanya Byron’s recent report for Government Safer Children In a Digital World identified websites promoting suicide as an area where there is some confusion about the application of the law to online activity.
Children’s Minister Kevin Brennan said: “Keeping children safe is a top priority for this Government, and while the internet is a great resource both at home and in school, it is important that we protect our children from exposure to harmful or inappropriate material.
“Dr Tanya Byron's Safer Children in a Digital World is a landmark report in understanding how best to keep our children safe when they are online, and was accepted in full by the Government. We welcome this announcement which further demonstrates our commitment to deliver all of the report’s recommendations. We will continue to work with industry and our partners to empower parents and protect children in tackling the harms associated with the internet.”
The review has been part of a wider Government effort to tackle the sensitive and complex issue of suicide and the internet.
The Law Commission has also proposed that the language of section 2 should be updated.
Later this year, the Government will work with the UK Council on Child Internet Safety (UKCCIS), to consider the practicalities of restricting access to websites that are not in accordance with UK law and how enforcement mechanisms can and should be applied to online activity.
The National Suicide Prevention Strategy for England aims to reduce the suicide rate by at least 20% by 2010.
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