Empowering victims

Paul Goldsmith announced:

The Government is proposing two major changes to name suppression laws that will put the views of victims of sexual violence first, Justice Minister Paul Goldsmith says.

“We are committed to restoring law and order and these two proposed changes will help ensure the victims of crime are put at the heart of the justice system.

“The first change will ensure the courts cannot issue a permanent name suppression order for an adult convicted of a sexual offence, unless the victim agrees to it.

Excellent. Great to see laws that are pro-victim and make name suppression after conviction harder.

“The second change ensures victims of all sexual crimes, including intimate visual recording offences, are automatically given name suppression. 

“There is a legislative gap, which means some victims of sexual offences receive automatic name suppression and others do not. 

“For example, victims of intimate visual recording offences currently have to ask the court for name suppression. This only causes further distress, and many worry that their name or details will be published without their knowledge.

Also very sensible.

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