Nine fined for naming rape victim despite not knowing it was illegal

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Nine people who told a court they didn’t know they were committing a criminal offence by publishing the name of a rape victim on social networks are now facing fines of more than £600 each.

The defendants admitted to posting updates on Twitter or Facebook which revealed the identity of a woman who was raped by footballer Ched Evans who was jailed for the crime in April. *

The law says that the identities of victims and alleged victims of rape and other sexual offences cannot be published during their lifetime but the defendants who pleaded guilty told Prestatyn magistrates’ court that they were unaware that they had broken the law.

This follows a number of other cases which have hit the headlines where posts on social networks have led to serious consequences. For example, A 19 year old was jailed in October for making offensive Facebook comments about missing youngster April Jones. *

A simple way to check your own understanding of how the law applies online is to take our free online test which also gives helpful advice on how to stay out of trouble.

These simple steps should help you to stay legal online:-

• When you log-on, don’t let your common sense log-off! Something said in the heat of the moment could have unpleasant consequences.
• If you are going to say something negative about someone online, be absolutely sure it is true before you publish.
• Don’t post jokes online that might be seen to encourage people to do anything illegal or violent.
• Just because everyone else is talking about a topic doesn’t mean it’s legal to do so – if there’s any doubt, it’s best to say nowt!

Knowthenet legal expert Jonathan Armstrong said: “This case shows how ignorance of the law is not accepted as a defence. Despite not knowing they had broken the law the defendants were still fined. The fact is that publication is always publication and if there’s any doubt then it’s best to say nowt!”

Our Knowledge Centre guide has more information on using social networks.

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