We're aware that some users are experiencing technical issues which the team are working to resolve. See the Community Noticeboard for more info. Thank you for your patience.
📨 Have you signed up to the Forum's new Email Digest yet? Get a selection of trending threads sent straight to your inbox daily, weekly or monthly!

Vent: legal system stupidity

Options
So, I'm sure many of us who read/watch/listen to the news have heard a lot about Jeremy Forrest and his "unnamed schoolgirl victim".
It's against anonymity laws to name her, and she's referred to everywhere as "the unnamed girl" or similar.
An I the only one who remembers last year when her name was splashed all over the news, parents begging her to come home.
It seems incredible stupid that when everybody already knows we name and there's no ambiguity that its her, that suddenly it's illegal to say her name?
«1

Comments

  • bod1467
    bod1467 Posts: 15,214 Forumite
    Is this the girl who eloped to France with her teacher? The one with a speech impediment? ;)
  • MamaMoo_2
    MamaMoo_2 Posts: 2,644 Forumite
    bod1467 wrote: »
    Is this the girl who eloped to France with her teacher? The one with a speech impediment? ;)

    That's the one. ;)
  • WestonDave
    WestonDave Posts: 5,154 Forumite
    Rampant Recycler
    Its a case of the law being overcome by technology. Back when, media was newspapers which became chip paper, and radio/TV which were watched live and then forgotten.

    Now media is stored on servers which unless someone deliberately deletes it, stays there. So if you google Eastbourne missing girl you'll get the old pages from the same media outlets that are now saying they can't name the girl - with her name plastered all over them from when she was being hunted.
    Adventure before Dementia!
  • lincroft1710
    lincroft1710 Posts: 18,876 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Photogenic Name Dropper
    Anyone who had a hoarding instinct and kept their newspapers could easily find out who she is.
    If you are querying your Council Tax band would you please state whether you are in England, Scotland or Wales
  • MamaMoo_2
    MamaMoo_2 Posts: 2,644 Forumite
    Anyone who had a hoarding instinct and kept their newspapers could easily find out who she is.

    Or anyone who happened to remember it, like me.
    I was reading a recent story about her, and I thought to myself, "I'm sure she was named as ..... Last year." Quick Google confirmed my suspicions
  • All you have to do is Google Jeremy Forrest and a picture of her appears. But be sure not to look at that photo because you're not allowed to for legal reasons despite the fact that we were sick of hearing about her and seeing her face about 9 months ago.
  • oneye14
    oneye14 Posts: 1,596 Forumite
    I've not seen the news in that much detail but if your point is true, then the schoolgirl remains unnamed for the benefit of those with short memories and other Judges ...... :D
  • Poppy9
    Poppy9 Posts: 18,833 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Combo Breaker
    I don't remember her name and I really don't see why I need to know her name. I don't know any of the parties involved, the legal system has punished the wrong doer and hopefully in the next few year the young girl can deal with the fallout from the situation.

    What is of more concern is that people accused of rape are named while the alleged victim has anonymity. Surely the alleged rapist name should be anonymous too as they have not been found guilty of any offence?
    :) ~Laugh and the world laughs with you, weep and you weep alone.~:)
  • They name suspects in all crimes. Why do you only show interest when it comes to rape?
  • Poppy9
    Poppy9 Posts: 18,833 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Combo Breaker
    They name suspects in all crimes. Why do you only show interest when it comes to rape?

    Well this thread was referring to the naming of the victim of a sex crime so I was continuing the theme and in an ideal world we would be able to keep anonymous all suspects before they have received a fair trial but this is very unlikely to be feasible due to volume and the tendency of people to tweet!
    :) ~Laugh and the world laughs with you, weep and you weep alone.~:)
This discussion has been closed.
Meet your Ambassadors

🚀 Getting Started

Hi new member!

Our Getting Started Guide will help you get the most out of the Forum

Categories

  • All Categories
  • 350.9K Banking & Borrowing
  • 253.1K Reduce Debt & Boost Income
  • 453.5K Spending & Discounts
  • 243.9K Work, Benefits & Business
  • 598.8K Mortgages, Homes & Bills
  • 176.9K Life & Family
  • 257.2K Travel & Transport
  • 1.5M Hobbies & Leisure
  • 16.1K Discuss & Feedback
  • 37.6K Read-Only Boards

Is this how you want to be seen?

We see you are using a default avatar. It takes only a few seconds to pick a picture.