The freedom of the press to name suspects in child abuse cases can endanger the healthy development of young people, Scotland's children's commissioner will argue in a speech tomorrow (14 October).
Commissioner Kathleen Marshall will propose anonymity for child abuse suspects when she gives the annual McClintock Lecture, organised by Scottish crime-reduction charity Sacro.
While acknowledging the value of open justice, she will question the effect that identifying suspects before conviction has on young people, including those not associated with alleged abuse cases.
"The fear of false allegations and, in particular, the media exposure associated with them, has made us afraid to interact with children in the ways they need for their healthy development," she is expected to say.
