Victim anonymity

What details will not be released?

Name, address, school, place of work, still or moving pictures

Who can have victim anonymity?

A victim or complainant of most sexual offences

What publications are included in victim anonymity?

Speech, writing, relevant programme or other communication in whatever form

Who must the publication be addressed to?

The public or a section of the public

When are details not allowed to be released to the public?

If it is likely to lead to members of the public identifying them as the person against whom the offence is alleged to have been committed

What is the duration of the anonymity?

From the time a person is accused for the victim or complainant’s lifetime

Will lifetime anonymity be lost if proceedings are later abandoned?

No, anonymity will continue regardless

When can a court make an order lifting anonymity restrictions?

Publicity is required by the accused to enable witnesses to come forward and the defence is likely to be seriously prejudiced otherwise

It imposes a substantial and unreasonable restriction on reporting of proceedings and is in the public interest to relax the restriction