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.

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.

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.