Why did victim have anonymity?

ALTHOUGH Brian Lord was convicted only of common assault – rather than a sexual offence – the complainant in the case still has the right to life-long anonymity.

This is because under the Sexual Offences (Amendment) Act 1992, it is against the law to reveal the identity of anyone who has complained to police of being the victim of a sexual offence.

Under the Act, it is also illegal to publish the alleged victim’s address, or any photo or video of them. The right to anonymity persists for the alleged victim’s entire life. The anonymity applies to allegations of historic sex abuse as well as recent ones.

However, complainants are allowed to choose to waive their anonymity, and many have done so in order to heighten awareness of certain crimes.

The Act offers no protection or privacy provisions to individuals who are accused but then cleared of sexual wrongdoing.