Ched Evans rape victim allegedly named online
Police are investigating reports that the rape victim in the Ched Evans trial has been named on social networking sites.
North Wales Police have said they are "aware of reports of comments on social media sites and are collating all relevant information."
National charities, Rape Crisis and End Violence Against Women, have said that the alleged naming is "profoundly disturbing" and raises "serious questions" about the "adequacy" of the justice system and whether it can cope with offences committed online.
Legislation is currently in place to ensure all victims of sexual abuse are protected by lifetime anonymity and those who do name them publicly are reported to the police for breaking the law.
– Statement from EVAW and Rape CrisisThis raises serious questions about the adequacy of the criminal justice system to deal with offences that occur online and we are calling for an urgent review of laws and practices.
The charity believes cases where the victim is named highlight the "deeply-held but ill-informed beliefs" people hold about women who experience sexual violence. They are calling on the Government to act.
– Statement from EVAW and Rape CrisisWe want the Government to take concerted action to address attitudes that condone violence. This must include ongoing public campaigns to challenge rape myths, work with young people in schools as well as action to tackle sexism online and in our daily newspapers. We cannot afford to shrug our shoulders any longer and hope that this problem will go away.
A spokesperson for the North Wales force told ITV Wales this morning that they have officers who, as part of their duties, monitor sites like Twitter; a full statement by the force into how they’re progressing their investigation is due later today.
In a further development, Sheffield United have launched an investigation into comments made by defender Connor Brown on Twitter in relation to the case.
Brown, 19, responded to the five-year prison sentence handed down to Evans by tweeting his support for the player.
Ched Evans appeals rape conviction
