The Sexual Offences and Obscene Publications Act 2021 changes the rules around anonymity of victims and alleged offenders.
The update now grants automatic anonymity to victims and alleged offenders following an allegation of certain sexual offences.
This is due to the impact reporting can have, particularly on a small Island where there can be serious long-term repercussions for anyone mentioned in a court report and implicated or involved in a sexual offence.
Anonymity
This anonymity is not unconditional and can be lifted if it is deemed to be in the public interest or essential to encourage other witnesses to come forward.
The new Act makes it an offence to publish or otherwise make public any material leading to the identification of victims and defendants, including names, addresses, educational establishments, workplaces or images.
This applies to victims wishing to name their perpetrators – without conviction, victims cannot name them.
Witnesses can also remain namelessness under the new Act.
If a person is found guilty, all restrictions will generally be lifted.
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