Latest news with #OnlineSafetyAct2023
Western Telegraph
13-05-2025
- Health
- Western Telegraph
Assisting self-harm could result in five-year jail term under proposed offence
Ministers are seeking to broaden the law to criminalise those who encourage or assist self-harm online or in person, as part of the Crime and Policing Bill. The move would mean anyone who intend to cause serious self-harm could be prosecuted, even if that did not lead to any injuries. Victims minister Alex Davies-Jones said: 'The prevalence of serious self-harm, especially in young people, is hugely concerning. 'It is an awful truth that some people encourage or assist such behaviour, and one I wanted to draw attention to during Mental Health Awareness Week. We are determined that anybody intending to see others harm themselves is stopped and dealt with in the strongest way Victims minister Alex Davies-Jones 'Whether encouragement is by communication, or more directly by assistance, the outcome is the same. 'We are determined that anybody intending to see others harm themselves is stopped and dealt with in the strongest way.' Under the Online Safety Act 2023, it is already illegal to encourage or assist suicide or self-harm through content online. But the change to the law seeks to replace the existing offence to cover all ways self-harm could be aided. It is understood the new legislation will not criminalise anyone who did not have the intention to cause harm, such as by sharing experiences of self-harm or discussing the issue. Guidance on self-harm suggests it can occur at any age but there is evidence of a 'recent increase' in prevalence among young people in England, according to the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence in 2022. Andy Burrows, chief executive of the Molly Rose Foundation, which was set up in memory of 14-year-old Molly Russell who took her own life after viewing thousands of images promoting suicide and self-harm, welcomed the extension of self-harm laws. But he said it 'will not stop the threat posed by those who seek to cause harm online by itself'. He added: 'There is an increasing risk posed by groups and individuals who encourage self-harm online, coercing often young women and girls into self-harm in private messaging and livestreams. 'The reality is that Ofcom's regulation of tech companies is failing to disrupt the encouragement of self-harm online and the Government must step in with stronger online safety laws that can tackle this growing and urgent threat.' Ofcom set out new online safety rules to protect children from harmful content in April, saying the measures will be 'transformational' and force tech firms to do things differently.
Yahoo
13-05-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Assisting self-harm could result in five-year jail term under proposed offence
Anyone who assists someone to self-harm – such as by giving them a blade or pills – could face up to five years in prison under plans for a new offence. Ministers are seeking to broaden the law to criminalise those who encourage or assist self-harm online or in person, as part of the Crime and Policing Bill. The move would mean anyone who intend to cause serious self-harm could be prosecuted, even if that did not lead to any injuries. Victims minister Alex Davies-Jones said: 'The prevalence of serious self-harm, especially in young people, is hugely concerning. 'It is an awful truth that some people encourage or assist such behaviour, and one I wanted to draw attention to during Mental Health Awareness Week. 'Whether encouragement is by communication, or more directly by assistance, the outcome is the same. 'We are determined that anybody intending to see others harm themselves is stopped and dealt with in the strongest way.' Under the Online Safety Act 2023, it is already illegal to encourage or assist suicide or self-harm through content online. But the change to the law seeks to replace the existing offence to cover all ways self-harm could be aided. It is understood the new legislation will not criminalise anyone who did not have the intention to cause harm, such as by sharing experiences of self-harm or discussing the issue. Guidance on self-harm suggests it can occur at any age but there is evidence of a 'recent increase' in prevalence among young people in England, according to the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence in 2022. Andy Burrows, chief executive of the Molly Rose Foundation, which was set up in memory of 14-year-old Molly Russell who took her own life after viewing thousands of images promoting suicide and self-harm, welcomed the extension of self-harm laws. But he said it 'will not stop the threat posed by those who seek to cause harm online by itself'. He added: 'There is an increasing risk posed by groups and individuals who encourage self-harm online, coercing often young women and girls into self-harm in private messaging and livestreams. 'The reality is that Ofcom's regulation of tech companies is failing to disrupt the encouragement of self-harm online and the Government must step in with stronger online safety laws that can tackle this growing and urgent threat.' Ofcom set out new online safety rules to protect children from harmful content in April, saying the measures will be 'transformational' and force tech firms to do things differently.
South Wales Argus
13-05-2025
- Health
- South Wales Argus
Assisting self-harm could result in five-year jail term under proposed offence
Ministers are seeking to broaden the law to criminalise those who encourage or assist self-harm online or in person, as part of the Crime and Policing Bill. The move would mean anyone who intend to cause serious self-harm could be prosecuted, even if that did not lead to any injuries. Victims minister Alex Davies-Jones said: 'The prevalence of serious self-harm, especially in young people, is hugely concerning. 'It is an awful truth that some people encourage or assist such behaviour, and one I wanted to draw attention to during Mental Health Awareness Week. 'Whether encouragement is by communication, or more directly by assistance, the outcome is the same. 'We are determined that anybody intending to see others harm themselves is stopped and dealt with in the strongest way.' Under the Online Safety Act 2023, it is already illegal to encourage or assist suicide or self-harm through content online. But the change to the law seeks to replace the existing offence to cover all ways self-harm could be aided. It is understood the new legislation will not criminalise anyone who did not have the intention to cause harm, such as by sharing experiences of self-harm or discussing the issue. Guidance on self-harm suggests it can occur at any age but there is evidence of a 'recent increase' in prevalence among young people in England, according to the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence in 2022.
South Wales Guardian
09-05-2025
- South Wales Guardian
Man admits urging vulnerable woman to seriously self-harm and to kill herself
Tyler Webb, 22, of King Street in Loughborough, appeared at Leicester Crown Court on Friday via videolink from a mental health facility to admit one count of encouraging suicide and one count of encouraging or assisting someone to seriously self-harm. Webb, who was the first person in the country to be charged with encouraging serious self-harm online under Section 184 of the Online Safety Act 2023, sat with his head on a table and flanked by family members throughout the 15-minute hearing before running out of the room and not returning. The court was not told any details of Webb's offending, but the Crown Prosecution Service said he used the Telegram video app to repeatedly tell the vulnerable woman, who cannot be named, to harm herself, and then to kill herself during a video call so he could watch. He told her she had nothing to live for and gave her methods to end her life, they said. Alex Johnson, a specialist crown prosecutor in the Special Crime Division of the Crown Prosecution Service, said: 'Tyler Webb contacted a vulnerable woman online and encouraged her to commit serious self-harm and to end her life. 'He knew she was vulnerable and would act on his requests but went ahead with his persistent requests knowing she may well die. 'Fortunately, his repeated and insistent suggestions did not result in a death.' On one occasion, the CPS said, the woman followed his instructions while on a video call to him, and on another, harmed herself after being encouraged to do so by Webb, and sent him a photograph of her injury. Judge Timothy Spencer KC said Webb must be produced at the crown court for sentencing on July 4. On July 2 2024, during a 44-minute call, Webb made persistent efforts to get her to end her own life and when it became apparent she would not do so, he said he would block further contact with her. She reported what had happened to police and he was arrested at his Loughborough home by Leicestershire Police. The CPS said their investigation proved Webb knew the victim was vulnerable as he had come across the woman in an online forum where people discussed mental health difficulties. Investigators also uncovered an audio recording of a call made by the woman which showed his 'persistent' attempts to push her to do things, as well as digital images and drawings depicting people ending their life, decapitations and sexual violence towards women. In a statement, Andy Burrows, the chief executive of the Molly Rose Foundation, which was set up in memory of 14-year-old Molly Russell from north-west London who took her own life after viewing thousands of images promoting suicide and self-harm, said: 'Webb's horrific crimes are part of a growing trend where vulnerable girls and women are being coerced into self-harm and suicide attempts online. 'While new offences in the Online Safety Act helped secure Webb's conviction, the reality is that Ofcom's regulation of tech companies is failing to prevent the increasing threat of similar offences from taking place. 'The Government must now step in with stronger online safety laws that can effectively tackle these sadistic crimes and protect vulnerable young people online.' – The Samaritans can be contacted anonymously on 116123 or email jo@
Leader Live
09-05-2025
- Leader Live
Man admits urging vulnerable woman to seriously self-harm and to kill herself
Tyler Webb, 22, of King Street in Loughborough, appeared at Leicester Crown Court on Friday via videolink from a mental health facility to admit one count of encouraging suicide and one count of encouraging or assisting someone to seriously self-harm. Webb, who was the first person in the country to be charged with encouraging serious self-harm online under Section 184 of the Online Safety Act 2023, sat with his head on a table and flanked by family members throughout the 15-minute hearing before running out of the room and not returning. The court was not told any details of Webb's offending, but the Crown Prosecution Service said he used the Telegram video app to repeatedly tell the vulnerable woman, who cannot be named, to harm herself, and then to kill herself during a video call so he could watch. He told her she had nothing to live for and gave her methods to end her life, they said. Alex Johnson, a specialist crown prosecutor in the Special Crime Division of the Crown Prosecution Service, said: 'Tyler Webb contacted a vulnerable woman online and encouraged her to commit serious self-harm and to end her life. 'He knew she was vulnerable and would act on his requests but went ahead with his persistent requests knowing she may well die. 'Fortunately, his repeated and insistent suggestions did not result in a death.' On one occasion, the CPS said, the woman followed his instructions while on a video call to him, and on another, harmed herself after being encouraged to do so by Webb, and sent him a photograph of her injury. Judge Timothy Spencer KC said Webb must be produced at the crown court for sentencing on July 4. On July 2 2024, during a 44-minute call, Webb made persistent efforts to get her to end her own life and when it became apparent she would not do so, he said he would block further contact with her. She reported what had happened to police and he was arrested at his Loughborough home by Leicestershire Police. The CPS said their investigation proved Webb knew the victim was vulnerable as he had come across the woman in an online forum where people discussed mental health difficulties. Investigators also uncovered an audio recording of a call made by the woman which showed his 'persistent' attempts to push her to do things, as well as digital images and drawings depicting people ending their life, decapitations and sexual violence towards women. In a statement, Andy Burrows, the chief executive of the Molly Rose Foundation, which was set up in memory of 14-year-old Molly Russell from north-west London who took her own life after viewing thousands of images promoting suicide and self-harm, said: 'Webb's horrific crimes are part of a growing trend where vulnerable girls and women are being coerced into self-harm and suicide attempts online. 'While new offences in the Online Safety Act helped secure Webb's conviction, the reality is that Ofcom's regulation of tech companies is failing to prevent the increasing threat of similar offences from taking place. 'The Government must now step in with stronger online safety laws that can effectively tackle these sadistic crimes and protect vulnerable young people online.' – The Samaritans can be contacted anonymously on 116123 or email jo@
