A Press Release and Commenting on Recent Events

[Antinous]

Thank you, Marquis, for your persistence and for your talented work.

Thank you to everyone who creates and maintains this safe place, this haven

• for people who have difficult questions to ask
• for people who need a supportive community
• for people who have nowhere else to turn.

I've been here since September 2018. What I have found here is supportive information and compassion.

Those who harass and criticize this website want everyone else to be as ignorant as they are.

Withholding information about elective death forces people to act out of ignorance and desperation.

Ignorance and desperation don't stop people from electing their own death, but ignorance and desperation are often key factors in that death being horrific instead of peaceful.

All rational adults have the right to a peaceful elective death at the time, place, and manner of their choosing. Self-determination over one's death is a fundamental right. It is not dependent on anyone else's legal, medical, or moral authority. No lawyer, doctor or priest gave permission for my life to begin. The same goes for the end.

If only those who seek to harm this website could find in themselves a modicum of intelligence or compassion . . .

 

[AintNoWayOut]

couldnt find the site, swore it got taken down. thank god its still here. fuck all the virtue signalers trying to take the site down. this site doesnt go out of its way to encourage suicide, nor is it the reason someone you knew committed suicide... they did it because they were probably struggling with a lot in life, and they so happened to come across here during their depression, possibly because people like YOU wouldnt listen or would shame them for it. and now, since many feel guilt, they have to project the blame onto this site. fucking morons dont realize that they came here BECAUSE they were suicidal already, and in many cases, this site keeps people going since it works as a nice support group. you know, somewhere where people can vent without being ridiculed, judged, or thrown into a mental hospital. what a horrible crime that is. free speech all day.

 

[cappuccinogirl]

A press release regarding recent events: https://sanctioned-suicide.net/press/PR_SanctionedSuicide.pdf

It's been a very rough morning, to say the least.

First of all, I want to offer my condolences to Sharon Luft, who lost her son 2 weeks ago.

Secondly, for those that are looking to go on a crusade to try to take this website down due to false and exaggerated claims, this site is a support community for thousands of people. I have spoken to countless people that are way better off that thank this site for helping them to recover. The claims about people live-streaming their suicides is a false one. We have NEVER allowed that here, and I'm not even sure if that has ever been done before.

People that are under 18 have not been allowed to register for years now. We have always been against minors being on the website and we maintain that stance today.

The social mob trying to report threads will not read this, but at least the ones that do will understand our position.

In other news, our backup domain is at https://sanctioned-suicide.net just in case this one gets taken down.

Sincerely,
Marquis

Thanks so much for all you do. Unfortunately staying alive at all costs it's not always the best answer. Many people with serious physical problems and in a lot of pain who have nowhere legal way out . X

 

[SN?0RN0t]

i was so scared imbeciles got this place shut down. I dont know if anyone is nreading this but if you are i just want to say something. This place is my literal suicide sanctuary. I am not shunned or turned away or made feel like ive done something wrong. Im accepted for who i am. Ive gotten good information and know that suicide isn't my only or last option. I know its my choice. And its not necessarily a wrong or bad choice its just a choice and mine to make. There is no encouragement nothing of the sorts. I get to read others words i dont feel so alone in this word of turmoil. Sometimes its good to be with people who are like you and think the same than be in a room full of people who never been in ur place or has been in ur place but think the opposite. Please this website is saving me dont take this away from us.

 

[Isitmytime]

I understand some people who would like N to be sold freely. I, for instance, would like to also have free access to F, for instance (I wish I could sleep through it, or maybe combine methods). On the other hand, I know that if access would be easy, many people would abuse such substances. Even SN. I have this psycho neighbor who hates everybody. He has no moral compass and poisoned a lot of animals, but I can't do anything about it if I don't catch him on camera. He poisoned two of my dogs who never did anything to him (they never left the yard) with an illegal poison (neurotoxin). Had he used a legal one, I had a chance to save them, as there is an antidote. So knowing there are people like that, imagine a psycho who could use N to kill someone and make it look like a suicide. Yes, I know, people could do that with other substances, too. Or if they are street-smart they could get them anyhow. If I was that way I'd try to get some F, but I have no idea how to get in contact with shady ppl. I could try to fake some docs and buy it from a drug store, but I would never involve an innocent person in a potential legal investigation. But still, it's not supposed to be easier for everybody to do harm. I think what the FB groups did was to advertise methods not only to ctb, but to harm others, by possibly giving ideas to the wrong people. Same with suicide - some do it on a whim, or to punish others, or to call for attention expecting to be found but never fully understanding all the risks. It's hard to draw a line. But shutting down this forum doesn't do any good. It will take very long until society finds middle ground, maybe never. A good start will be to accept that more people think of ctb than we like to admit and stop being so judgemental about it.

 

[FTL.Wanderer]

Censoring discussions about suicide won't work. Year after year, the rates keep increasing because we keep using ineffective interventions, pathologizing sufferers as we make it harder and harder to stay alive. If those opposed to suicide had to pay for the support services and survival resources for the suicidal to be able to and to want to stay alive, I'm confident very many would become, at least, neutral towards suicide. We will always find ways to reach out to the like-minded, to exchange ideas. The more they try to box us in, to control us, the more determined we'll become. If society could stomp out suicide merely because it disapproves, they'd have succeeded long ago.

Maybe it's time for the tech-savvy among us to develop a non-censorable pro-self-determination platform based on BC tech....

 

[MrAsclepius]

Censoring discussions about suicide won't work. Year after year, the rates keep increasing because we keep using ineffective interventions, pathologizing sufferers as we make it harder and harder to stay alive. If those opposed to suicide had to pay for the support services and survival resources for the suicidal to be able to and to want to stay alive, I'm confident very many would become, at least, neutral towards suicide. We will always find ways to reach out to the like-minded, to exchange ideas. The more they try to box us in, to control us, the more determined we'll become. If society could stomp out suicide merely because it disapproves, they'd have succeeded long ago.

Maybe it's time for the tech-savvy among us to develop a non-censorable pro-self-determination platform based on BC tech....

I have been waiting for more networks to develop. It takes time, and there are many havens here and there. But it would be nice to have more.

 

[Symbiote]

Maybe it's time for the tech-savvy among us to develop a non-censorable pro-self-determination platform

If the alt-right can have Gab and Parler, then we can have the same as well, but it's hard at times I bet to find someone to host the website knowing the contents within doesn't bode well with society.

 

[catscradle]

I tried to go to the old domain today and I started crying because I didn't realize it was switched. I thought they had taken away that one thing that brings me comfort at times. the one place I can say "I'm hurting really bad" and no one will try to lock me up

 

[FTL.Wanderer]

But people live-blog their suicide attempts through "Goodbye topics" which this forum facilitates.

I honestly think we should start disallowing such topics, the emotional trauma for those left behind who read them is too great to justify the "need" for this forum to give a suicidal person well wishes in their last moments (which is paradoxical because I often question why they need reassurance, and so whether this is just an unwitting cry for help on their part, not a fully autonomous decision). This is more trouble than it's worth and attracts the worst and most predatory aspect of this community.

Sharon's son may have been member @head full of static who posted this topic:

https://sanctioned-suicide.net/threads/so-ladies-and-gents-its-finally-happening-sn.58277/

Although the same member also posted on another person's Goodbye topic wishing them "good luck", so not for the first time, a portrayed victim of our site is also guilty of the very things their loved ones purport the members who bid them well to be doing.

https://sanctioned-suicide.net/threads/gonna-take-sn-soon.58247/#post-1073540

I realize it's been a few days since your post, and I don't want to appear contrary, but I hope SS doesn't change its layout, pages... because society at large doesn't like what it finds here. I sympathize with the pain those left behind can feel if they come upon loved ones' posts in Goodbye Topics, but they're not obliged to come here. They have to be looking for this place, so they must be somewhat prepared for the content here. Censorship has gone too far. Everywhere else, we have to lie, hide our feelings, pretend, watch what we say. This is one of the few places where we can be open. But now, they want to command our thoughts and feelings and behaviors here, too. So long as we're not threatening others and we're civil towards each other, we should feel entitled to be open and honest. Shutting down Goodbye Topics would be an implicit nod to the anti-suiciders, recognizing some inherent validity of their argument. We shouldn't allow others to guilt us into self-censorship. And we should feel utterly safe, here, politely ignoring their perspectives.

Im sorry but even if you had a conversation with her son its not your place to make that kind of judgement about her parenting because quite simply you dont have ALL of the information (even if you think you do) because the complexities of suicide are many .... observers looking in from the outside never do ... even when the life is on display.

Comments like that do nothing to further the pro choice debate ... and merely reinforce the animosity towards this site as being justified .. and worse, it does nothing to honour the life and death of the young man who made the decision to end his life.

While I wouldn't have worded it the way the OP did, I agree with their sentiment. Too often, other people are coerced to censor themselves because... "What about the children?" Like most people, I'm fond of children, too. But adults shouldn't be expected to censor themselves in environments explicitly for adults because others can't or won't control their children's access to sites. Maybe there's a broader philosophical conversation to be had on what "responsible parenting" might be and whether anyone able to have kids is therefore fit to be a parent. Ultimately, at least I feel, the responsibility for rearing children lies with the adults who decide to create them--especially in a culture in which everyone else is sternly warned to mind their own business when it comes to other people's children's behavior. I mean no one any disrespect.

 

[LooksAtMoonDog]

Just wanted to say "Thank You" to Marquis and everyone who supports this site. It is an irreplacable resource and haven to those of us who have no one else to confide in.

 

[Deformationalplagio]

This is the so called letter from the guy who committed suicide to the police.. No offence but this just seems to be made up to me. No way the guu wrote to take this site down. This so called mother is crazy af

 

[aneurysm]

this just seems to be made up to me.

 

[Meditation guide]

So he used the website himself, but no one else should be able to. That makes no sense.

That is the opposite sentiment people here express. We all express how much we need and appreciate this site, for all of us.

It's like he is saying "I used this site to find out how to kill myself but stop anyone else from doing it." No one ever says that.

 

[Isitmytime]

At the end of the day it is not individuals who need to be rallied against but a system that denies a rational conversation about this issue. Tit for tat nastiness and rationalisations on either side do not forward the pro choice debate and in my opinion this tactic from both sides merely pushes the 'problem' of suicide underground.

This community is rightly anxious about the situation please know that I am not denying that but in my opinion the effort should be directed towards showing the benefits of the site and working out how to improve member safety rather than engaging is nastiness and unkindness.

I have to publicly admit I think you are right about the above. Extreme attitudes, fallacies and wanting to be right at all costs never help.

 

[Deformationalplagio]

So he used the website himself, but no one else should be able to. That makes no sense.

That is the opposite sentiment people here express. We all express how much we need and appreciate this site, for all of us.

It's like he is saying "I used this site to find out how to kill myself but stop anyone else from doing it." No one ever says that.

Yeah doesnt sound right to me at all there is something fishy about that woman

 

[Meditation guide]

Yeah doesnt sound right to me at all there is something fishy about that woman

Frankly the whole note sounds like an attempt at blame shifting, taking any blame off the family and putting it onto an internet site. It's dubious that this was a real note from the deceased.

 

[RainAndSadness]

[...]But adults shouldn't be expected to censor themselves in environments explicitly for adults because others can't or won't control their children's access to sites.[...]

This. What happened to parenting? If you can't take care of your children, don't have them. Very simple.

 

[franklynlb]

I wanna add my own little experience with the site, i came here looking for a method to commit suicide, and ended up making some friends and going into recovery, i'm currently not suicidal and working to keep it up, and the support i recieved here has had a lot to do with my recovery.
For people against the site, if someone wants to commit suicide they'll find a way here or not here, but on the way through here they may find something more that they didn't get from people they socialize with. That is support, love, understanding, compassion, openness. Feelings that may be hard to come by for people in general.

 

[It'sNotLookingGood]

Please don't stop fighting for us. Thank you so much <3

 

[Secrets1]

Want to echo the comments from others about how much I appreciate this site. When times are tough I come here read, think, sit, vent. It's become a coping mechanism and resource to consider life. Much healthier than the cyclical thought pattern that has played in my head since a child and pushes towards impulse.

Right now is one of those tough moments. I've learned to depend on this community and am writing this post instead of imminently contemplating more dangerous or sabotaging options. If I make the choice to end my own life it will be with a wide perspective and completely autonomous, in part because of my interactions with the diverse crowd here. So far this place has done nothing but provide me shelter when people in my real world have run away or are too frightened by my reality. Over a year after joining to find my suicide method, I'm still here. Right now when I have no one else to turn to in an honest way, SS is here for me. It's not that I want to die and hurt loved ones or miss future opportunities, but I also don't want to live and have felt this way for too often in my life. Regardless, this site is helping my stability to push through the challenges of life right now and if the time comes will have helped me spend my last moments on earth in a desirable thought out way instead of impulse that creates more carnage for myself and those I'd leave behind.

So a big thanks to the mods and members who put in so much effort to help people sort through this complicated topic in a safe place with compassion and not judgement. I have a lot of love for them and everyone on this site with good intentions.

 

[MrAsclepius]

This is the so called letter from the guy who committed suicide to the police.. No offence but this just seems to be made up to me. No way the guu wrote to take this site down. This so called mother is crazy af

The letter is not right...Someone going through with ctb I don't think they would be driven to write a letter to take down a site on the internet. Surely if they were to write a letter it would further address the family or even give reason? Perhaps not the whole thing is false, but there is something wrong with it.

 

[L I F E T O L O S E]

why are some members deactivating accounts?

 

[SkarletWitch]

Maybe we should to a one big collage with all the statements from people saying how this site help them to stay alive, how they would ctb long time ago if they didn't find this forum etc.

You know, some counter - argument to show them our true, not taken out of context side?

 

[Wisdom3_1-9]

I see so many of us using rational thought to defend the forum. The opponents of SS aren't driven by rational thought. They're driven by emotion and perhaps ideology. No amount of rational thought — well-supported ideas, evidence, testimony — could cause them to change their mind.

In fact, the flames of irrationality are often fueled by rational thought. In other words, our thoughtful defense of our own beliefs and our evidence-based backing of the true impact of this forum will only serve to further anger those who campaign against us.

 

[nohopeforethefuture]

The letter is not right...Someone going through with ctb I don't think they would be driven to write a letter to take down a site on the internet. Surely if they were to write a letter it would further address the family or even give reason? Perhaps not the whole thing is false, but there is something wrong with it.

Why does it have to be fake? Just like the person saying they don't believe the parents are actually grieving.

there's no way to know. People do strange and unexplainable things sometimes. I personally think the mom is grieving and I do believe the note is real. That doesnt change that I disagree with the sentiments purported by the mom and the note. This site should stay up. And they should take time to go through counseling themselves and understand that responsibility lies within a persons own self, not outside of it.

But saying the note is fake doesnt help anyone. It doesnt really matter if the note is fake or not.

 

[Meretlein]

It's not improbable that Joe really did ask for us to be shutdown in his suicide note. Hypocrisy knows no bounds. The more charitable side of me realizes that he was probably overwhelmed with the suffering and wanted to "save" others even though he could not be saved.

 

[BeBraveBrother]

Why does it have to be fake? Just like the person saying they don't believe the parents are actually grieving.

there's no way to know. People do strange and unexplainable things sometimes. I personally think the mom is grieving and I do believe the note is real. That doesnt change that I disagree with the sentiments purported by the mom and the note. This site should stay up. And they should take time to go through counseling themselves and understand that responsibility lies within a persons own self, not outside of it.

But saying the note is fake doesnt help anyone. It doesnt really matter if the note is fake or not.

I don't know if it was him or someone else made it up but here is one explanation that is likely if he did it himself:
If it is real the only real explanation could be that he actually felt guilt by perfoming suicide. Apparently that young man came from an extremly narrow minded family where suicide is in any case considered a sin or anyhow higly immoral. This might have caused a lot of guilt inside himself. In order to take away that "guilt" from himself and from the eyes of his parents he accused this forum to be guilty: For people with quite simple and narrow morals it's always easier to blame others, that's what he has learned.
It is comparable to if someone is gay and parents outcast this he or she would blame the devil for having seduced him. There are people that simply believe in such things even if there is no proof for a devil because the family system can't deal with something.
Whatever was problematic in that family - it definatly didn't come out of the blue.
I mean what other can we expect from a highly dysfunctional family that might have appeared "normal" zu the outside? No young person from a functional family would stay here if he or she accidently came on this website.


If someone has struggled with life for many, many years as an adult (!) i.e. with a physical condition as in my case or something else and is able to take responsibility it is a totally different situation why someone is here.
It would be good and absolutly neccesarry to have those adults acces to peacefull drugs which with they could make their own decisions in regard to peacefull suicide without affect on others. In that case there would be no good reasons to dicuss methods online.
One model could be that clear minded self responsible adults from at least i.e. age 21 may buy that drug for a single usage with an ID - registration and responsible signature on a document after receving it from a pharmacy. If they would change their mind in the last moment they could still return it without investigations. So both missuse and pressure could be prevented. And nobody else would be harmed.

 

[nohopeforethefuture]

I don't know if it was him or someone else made it up but here is one explanation that is likely if he did it himself:
If it is real the only real explanation could be that he actually felt guilt by perfoming suicide. Apparently that young man came from an extremly narrow minded family where suicide is in any case considered a sin or anyhow higly immoral. This might have caused a lot of guilt inside himself. In order to take away that "guilt" from himself and from the eyes of his parents he accused this forum to be guilty: For people with quite simple and narrow morals it's always easier to blame others, that's what he has learned.
It is comparable to if someone is gay and parents outcast this he or she would blame the devil for having seduced him. There are people that simply believe in such things even if there is no proof for a devil because the family system can't deal with something.
Whatever was problematic in that family - it definatly didn't come out of the blue.
I mean what other can we expect from a highly dysfunctional family that might have appeared "normal" zu the outside? No young person from a functional family would stay here if he or she accidently came on this website.


If someone has struggled with life for many, many years as an adult (!) i.e. with a physical condition as in my case or something else and is able to take responsibility it is a totally different situation why someone is here.
It would be good and absolutly neccesarry to have those adults acces to peacefull drugs which with they could make their own decisions in regard to peacefull suicide without affect on others. In that case there would be no good reasons to dicuss methods online.
One model could be that clear minded self responsible adults from at least i.e. age 21 may buy that drug for a single usage with an ID - registration and responsible signature on a document after receving it from a pharmacy. If they would change their mind in the last moment they could still return it without investigations. So both missuse and pressure could be prevented. And nobody else would be harmed.

I agree. Coming from a similar background, that doesnt sound far fetched at all.

 

[Dead beat dad]

A press release regarding recent events: https://sanctioned-suicide.net/press/PR_SanctionedSuicide.pdf

It's been a very rough morning, to say the least.

First of all, I want to offer my condolences to Sharon Luft, who lost her son 2 weeks ago.

Secondly, for those that are looking to go on a crusade to try to take this website down due to false and exaggerated claims, this site is a support community for thousands of people. I have spoken to countless people that are way better off that thank this site for helping them to recover. The claims about people live-streaming their suicides is a false one. We have NEVER allowed that here, and I'm not even sure if that has ever been done before.

People that are under 18 have not been allowed to register for years now. We have always been against minors being on the website and we maintain that stance today.

The social mob trying to report threads will not read this, but at least the ones that do will understand our position.

In other news, our backup domain is at https://sanctioned-suicide.net just in case this one gets taken down.

Sincerely,
Marquis

Props to you and the team Marquis. The amount of effort that you make to provide a space for the some of the most vulnerable and haunted people out there is super human.
Love and respect to you my brother. I've said this time and again and will continue to do so until I'm expired this place saves lives. By the nature of the subject this is a bastion for the physically, emotionally and spiritually scarred and not all are going to make it.
At least we can say we tried.
For anyone who thinks this is the root of all evil, I'm sincerely sorry, because you are almost certainly in pain, but you anger is misguided.
There is some awful darkness out there in the world, for me and many others it has been the only source of light.
Love and respect friends.

DBD