Sexual Assault Naming of Victims
2021-05-18
TAGS
Response quality
Questions & Answers
Q1
Partial Answer
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Context
People are naming victims of sexual assault, raising concerns about the safety and protection of these individuals.
What steps he is taking in response to people naming victims of sexual assault. Complainants in rape and sexual offence cases are protected by automatic reporting restrictions with a lifetime ban on reporting any matter likely to identify a victim from the moment the offence is reported.
Complainants in rape and sexual offence cases are protected by automatic reporting restrictions with a lifetime ban on reporting any matter likely to identify a victim from the moment the offence is reported. We are giving consideration to what more we could do to provide greater deterrence and punishment when an offence is committed.
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Assessment & feedback
Specific measures or timeline for additional steps to protect victims was not provided
Giving Consideration
Response accuracy
Q2
Partial Answer
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Context
Victims of sexual assault are being silenced from naming their abusers through civil actions taken by wealthy and powerful individuals. The questioner previously wrote to the Prime Minister in March asking for action, but received a reply that missed this point entirely.
While we still see instances of victims of sexual assault being named publicly, women continue to be silenced from naming their abusers by civil actions from those who are wealthy enough to take them. I wrote to the Prime Minister in March asking him to take action on this, but the Minister's reply of 13 April missed this point entirely. Will he now say what steps he will take to prevent victims from being gagged by wealthy and powerful abusers in civil courts?
Obviously, we want to make sure that there is equity before the law, and no matter how rich or powerful someone is, they have to obey the rules as they are laid down. We are giving consideration to what more we can do in this area to make sure that the anonymity of victims in this kind of case is protected and there is sufficient deterrent and punishment for those who name their own victims, or indeed those who are victims in court, so that it does not occur.
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Assessment & feedback
Specific steps or timeline for protecting sexual assault victims was not provided
Giving Consideration
Response accuracy