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Growing fears on suicide websites
Andrew Robinson CALLS for firm action against suicide websites have been made after figures showed that internet-related suicide could be rising.
Campaigners calling for such websites to be blocked are worried by the latest figures from Japan where the number of internet-related suicides has rocketed.
A record number of Japanese committed suicide last year after meeting on the internet.
The national police said 54 men and 37 women had died in net suicide pacts in 2005, up from 55 a year earlier.
Japanese police reportedly prevented 11 suicides since regulations were introduced in October under which authorities can ask internet service providers to pass on the names of people they believe are about to kill themselves.
Two people survived after being discovered during suicide attempts and others were persuaded not to take their lives.
Campaigners say the latest figures make it even more urgent for the Government and internet service providers to act quickly.
Paul Kelly, of campaign group Papyrus, believes the number of British people taking their lives after reading suicide websites is rising, although it was not possible to be sure because figures are not kept.
"It's probably increasing in this country. We know of 16 cases since 2001 but coroners will not always identify the internet connection. If it's not reported in the Press, no one knows about it."
Papyrus has been pressing the Government for over two years to take action on such websites.
Mr Kelly would like to know exactly how the Japanese authorities are operating the new guidelines as it is not clear how the police will get to know about vulnerable people.
Other parents welcomed the Japanese approach.
Liz Taylor, the mother of Doncaster student Carina Stephenson, 17, who was found hanged after visiting suicide websites, said the Japanese had taken a step in the right direction. Her campaign is supported by the Yorkshire Post.
She said internet service providers in the UK were listening to their concerns.
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Friday 25 May 2012
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