Overwhelming Support for Change in Suicide Law

Added: (Fri Jan 18 2008)

Pressbox (Press Release) - PAPYRUS the national charity dedicated to prevention of young suicide says it has overwhelming support from the general public for a change in the law to make it illegal for internet sites to publish material that has the sole purpose of encouraging and aiding suicide.

In a recent YouGov survey commissioned by PAPYRUS 81 percent of those surveyed agreed that UK law should be amended to ensure that it is illegal to groom young people through online websites and chat rooms to take their own lives. Of these 62 percent strongly agreed.

In the same survey 78 percent agreed that the existence of websites that have the sole intention of encouraging others to take their own lives is a threat to young and vulnerable people in our society. Of these 54 percent strongly agreed.

The charity is now challenging the government to respond to what it believes is clear public demand for change in the law.

There is increasing evidence of the danger to vulnerable young people of pro-suicide sites and chat rooms. PAPYRUS knows of 27 internet-related suicides by young people in the UK in the last six years, the youngest aged 13. There could be more.

Currently, for a successful prosecution it is most likely that the victim has to meet face to face with the person who wishes to assist in his or her death. There has never been a successful UK prosecution for promoting suicide online.

“We have already delivered two petitions - one presented at 10 Downing Street, the other online - seeking a review of the Suicide Act (1961),” said Paul Kelly, PAPYRUS trustee leading the charity’s internet safety campaign. “With the support of this nationally representative sample, we are once again challenging the government to change the law to protect vulnerable young people.

“The National Suicide Prevention Strategy has a target to reduce suicide by 20 percent by 2010. Changing this law could make a significant difference to whether or not this target is met,” added Paul Kelly.

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Editor’s Notes
All figures, unless otherwise stated, are from YouGov Plc. Total sample size was 2,047 adults. Field work was undertaken between 31st - 2nd January 2008. The survey was carried out online. The figures have been weighted and are representative of all GB adults (aged 18+).

About PAPYRUS
PAPYRUS is a national charity dedicated to the prevention of young suicide. It was founded in 1997 by a group of parents who had lost a son or daughter to suicide. PAPYRUS supports families, concerned friends, medics, mental health professionals, education staff, prison staff and others who work with young people. Its publications, many of which can be downloaded at www.papyrus-uk.org, are used extensively by all these groups.
The charity’s helpline - HOPELineUK 0870 170 4000 - is a telephone service staffed by trained professionals who listen, give practical advice, information and support needed in order to approach and respond to suicidal feelings. It also receives calls from suicidal young people. It has helped hundreds of concerned parents and other family members, friends, teachers and professionals.

Editorial contact for more information:
Rosemary Vaux at PAPYRUS press office
tel 020 8943 5343 mobile 07792 72 62 41 email rvaux@ravenstonepr.co.uk