Proposal for anonymity for defendants in rape cases dropped,

[la_marquise]

In the face of widespread protests, the government are dropping the proposal that defendants in rape trials are granted anonymity. From a female point of view, I'm relieved.
What we need now is more work on culture change, so that attitudes to rape change, and more press responsibility around the whole issue, so that the innocent, female and male are not subjected to needless abuse, exposure and humiliation.

More details here: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-10760239

Comments

[andrewducker]

It's great news. Glad to see that they realised how unworkable and unfair the proposed changes would b.

[elmyra.livejournal.com]

I'm still not 100% convinced that we can take our eyes off the ball on this one - the talk of "non-statutory solution" is worrying.

[http://users.livejournal.com/la_marquise_de_/]

Oh, indeed.

[autopope.livejournal.com]

The whole issue is one where there don't seem to be any good general solutions. (Other than making rape awareness -- and prevention -- part of basic compulsory education, starting with "no means NO" for boys in primary school. And combine it with anti-child-abuse education, while we're about it, to make it harder for the usual sex-ed refusniks to weasel out.)

[http://users.livejournal.com/la_marquise_de_/]

Yep. The report speaks of trying to get the gutter press to behave better, but there's to be no extra regulation. I would have had more sympathy for the proposal if it had been extended to all sexual offences, including paedophilia. (Though imagine the red tops if the latter was proposed.) Singling out rape, however, just sends such damaging messages to women.

[a-d-medievalist.livejournal.com]

that's a relief. Have you seen the new rape awareness ads coming out of Scotland, btw?

[http://users.livejournal.com/la_marquise_de_/]

I haven't, no -- will go and look for them.