Accused rapists to be publicly named under Qld law revamp

A protection allowing accused rapists to remain anonymous for years as their case progresses through the courts is set to be scrapped.

A protection allowing accused rapists to remain anonymous for years as their case progresses through the courts is set to be scrapped, with the State Government about to introduce amended legislation to remove the outdated restriction.

Queensland and the Northern Territory are the only two remaining jurisdictions that prevent someone charged with rape or a serious sexual offence being publicly identified until they are committed to stand trial - a process that can take years.

The same protection is not offered for any other offence, including murder and even some sexual offences against children.

Queensland Attorney General Shannon Fentiman. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Glenn Campbell

Attorney-General Shannon Fentiman previously promised to introduce the amended legislation in the first half of this year and on Wednesday confirmed it would happen “soon”.

“We know that these laws are based on outdated rape myths which are not appropriate in our modern criminal justice system,” a spokesperson for Ms Fentiman said.

“The Attorney-General looks forward to introducing these amendments soon.”

The change was one of 188 recommendations made by the Women’s Safety and Justice Taskforce after consultation with victim-survivors, police and legal experts.

“My abuser is afforded protection and privacy, as his name cannot be printed alongside the serious offences he has been charged with, which means unsuspecting young women can still be a guest at his (workplace), they can still apply for a job in his (workplace), without having any idea that he is an opportunistic predator…” one woman, who had been waiting nearly four years for a committal hearing, said in a submission to the taskforce.

“The imbalance in this system is astounding.”

The taskforce in its report said some police officers made the point that further victims might come forward with the early identification of an accused offender, which could help “in evidence gathering and building the case for prosecution”.

“While stigma against those accused of sexual offences remains, the taskforce concluded that any potential reputational damage caused by reporting the identity of persons accused of sexual offending before committal is outweighed by the desirability for open justice, including the importance of media reporting on this often hidden but prevalent issue,” the report said.

Currently, anyone charged with rape, attempted rape, assault with intent to commit rape or sexual assaults is protected from “reputational damage” until they are committed to stand trial.

Originally published as Accused rapists to be publicly named under Qld law revamp