It is common practice in the U.K. to anonymise sexual assault victims’ identities in court filings, but why in this NZ case are all the parties’ names apparently withheld?
1 Answer
It is common to anonymize as much as necessary in order to protect the identity of the complainant. If the accused is a close relative, or other close relationship, this will often also require anonymizing the name of the accused.
See Criminal Code, 486.4:
Subject to subsection (2), the presiding judge or justice may make an order directing that any information that could identify the victim or a witness shall not be published in any document or broadcast or transmitted in any way, in proceedings in respect of [a large list of offences including sexual assault].
While such an order can be imposed by the court on its own, this order is mandatory if requested by the victim, prosecutor, or witness.
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Just to be perfectly clear, this can only be requested by the VICTIM, right? Commented Oct 26, 2023 at 3:46
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Age plays a role too, right? Like, minor parties to a lawsuit tend to be only abbreviated by default it seems.– TrishCommented Oct 26, 2023 at 8:39