Petition · past parliament · Ministry of Justice

Give domestic violence victims the right to anonymity in court reports.

Closed 317 signatures

What the petition asks

Unlike victims of sexual assault, victims of domestic violence do not have the right to have their identity protected in reports of court proceedings. This means court reports can include the victim's name or details that could identify them. Victims of domestic abuse deserve the right to privacy.
No one chooses to be a victim of domestic violence, therefore no one deserves to have their identity read out in court against their will. Pressing charges for domestic violence can be a traumatic and emotional process. As a victim, the prospect of having your name and personal details reported on in court can prove to be a further barrier on the path to seeking justice. Domestic abuse victims deserve a right to privacy, which is currently unsubstantiated under current law.

Timeline

5 Aug 2020 Petition opened for signatures
5 Feb 2021 Closed to new signatures

Key facts

Signatures 317
Status Closed
Department Ministry of Justice
Opened 5 Aug 2020
Closed 5 Feb 2021

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Source: the official petition page. Last checked 15 Jul 2026.