A private affair The law states that killing is a criminal act, and so is aiding and abetting people who kill themselves. Yet in cases of “assisted suicide” or “mercy killing”, those guilty of criminal behaviour are often not prosecuted or, if successfully tried, they escape with a light penalty, such as probation or a suspended jail sentence.
Urgent support
We support people facing the end of life and promote choice at that time; we don’t provide information about methods of ending life. For urgent support, Samaritans are on 116 123, free, day or night. Breathing Space is on 0800 83 85 87. For questions about your own care, your GP or palliative care team is the right first call.