Even many news reporters and directors would agree that victims deserve this rights, but when a sensational murder case occurs their sympathies disappear in exchange for selling more newspapers or grabbing more viewers. The press is usually prohibited from reporting the names of child victims and witnesses, and of adults sexual assault victims. This is done to protect the victim. Very often, sexual assault victims do not want people to know what happened to them. In addition, there can be negative connotations associated with sexual assault, i.e. the victim may be blamed for the assault or seen as a vindictive ex-girlfriend.
Sexual assault is probably the only crime where the victim is perceived as guilty as the offender.
It is quite possible that the publication of sexual assault victim's names could discourage other victims from coming forward out of fear of being identified. Others argue that keeping the names of the victims a secret only adds to the shame the victim experiences, and publishing their names would show the public that sexual assault victims have nothing to hide because they have done nothing wrong. In fact, many sexual assault victims want their names published. While Canadian judges do have the power to order the prohibition of the publication of the identities of sexual assault victims and children victims and witnesses, the choice should really belong to the victim. Many victims will not want to be identified, where others will choose to be.