Reporting Sex Offences

Question 1

What statute provides legal protection to victims / alleged victims of sexual offences

Answer 1

Sexual offences amendment act 1992

Question 2

What is the sexual offences amendment act 1992?
What does this mean in terms of reporting.

Answer 2

Gives automatic lifelong anonymity to victims / alleged victims of sexual offences

This means you should not publish
- victim’s name
- victim’s address
- victim’s education establishment
- workplace
- images
- anything else that might lead to their identification
(Same as sec 49 child + young persons act 1933)

These restrictions apply as soon as allegations are made- regardless of when allegations were made

Question 3

When does the sexual offences amendment act 1992 say about when victims / alleged victims can waive their anonymity ?

Answer 3

Can waive annonymity if
- they are over 16
- give consent in writing
- their peace and comfort must not be interfered with

Question 4

What other statutes award the same protections as the sexual offences amendment act 1992 ?

Answer 4

Modern slavery act 2015
FGM act 2003
Anti social behaviour crime and policing act 2014 - forced marriage

Question 5

Journos reporting Sex offences have to watch out for jigsaw identification - what is this?

Answer 5

Publishing material that can lead to identification given information what is already out there / materials from other outlets.

E.g. naming where perpetrator lives in one place, then saying he raped his stepdaughter in another

Question 6

What is the penalty for identifying victims of sexual crimes

Answer 6

Fine up to 5000 pounds
Compensation to victim

Question 7

What does the editors code of practice say about reporting Sex offences?

Answer 7

Clause 11 - victims of sexual assault and
Clause 7 - children in sex cases of editors code of practice IPSO -

extra case should be taken to avoid jigsaw identification

• do not name perpetrator if it could ID victim
• do not use word incest
• do not ID children under 16
• no report should hint at relationship between accused and child victim

Question 8

What does OFCOM warn about reporting in sex cases ?

Answer 8

Warns of dangers of
Jigsaw effect
Use of word incest
Indirect identification another way