17 September 2008
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, Justice Minister, Maria Eagle said today.
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.'
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 today's 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.
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.
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 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.
Notes to editors
1. 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 applies equally to online and off-line actions.
2. The precise proposals on how to update the language of the legislation will be published a soon as parliamentary time allows. The scope of the law will remain unchanged.
3. The Report of the Byron Review, Safer Children in a Digital World, was published in March 2008 and was commissioned by the Department for Children, Schools and Families in conjunction with the Home Office
4. The Law Commission report, Inchoate Liability for Assisting and Encouraging Crime, was published in July 2006 - the relevant section is Appendix B to report.
5. The set up of the UK Council on Child Internet Safety was a recommendation of the Byron Review and it is due to be formally launched on 29 September. Their focus is the protection of children but the government is committed to ensuring that all individuals, children and adults alike, find the internet a safe place to visit.
6. The overall suicide rate in England three-year average was 8.3 deaths per 100,000 population compared with the previous three-year average of 8.5. Between 2003-05 and 2004-06 there was a drop of 7.5% in the rate of suicides among men aged 20-34.
7. For more information please call the Ministry of Justice Press Office on 020 3334 3525.