View all newsletters
Sign up for our free email newsletters

Fighting for quality news media in the digital age.

Mail Online says sorry over ‘human error’ which led to publication of child sex assault victim’s first name

By Dominic Ponsford

Mail Online has apologised after publishing the first name of a child sexual assault victim.

The move was potentially in breach of the Editors’ Code. But press regulator IPSO did not make a ruling because Mail Online apologised to the complainant and amended the article.

The article reported on the trial of a person charged with raping a child and revealed the child’s first name in a report of witness testimony.

The complainant said that the article contained an unnecessary amount of information and would have caused anxiety and distress.

Mail Online “offered its sincere apologies for the human error that led to the publication of the first name of the victim”.

Although it acknowledged the seriousness of the error, it said that publication of the first name alone did not necessarily identify the victim.

Clause 7 of the Editors’ Code covers children in sex cases.

Content from our partners
MHP Group's 30 To Watch awards for young journalists open for entries
How PA Media is helping newspapers make the digital transition
Publishing on the open web is broken, how generative AI could help fix it

It says: “The press must not, even if legally free to do so, identify children under 16 who are victims or witnesses in cases involving sex offences.

“In any press report of a case involving a sexual offence against a child –

“i) The child must not be identified.

“ii) The adult may be identified.

“iii) The word “incest” must not be used where a child victim might be identified.

“iv) Care must be taken that nothing in the report implies the relationship between the accused and the child.”

Clause 11 of the code covers victims of sexual assault.

It says: “The press must not identify victims of sexual assault or publish material likely to contribute to such identification unless there is adequate justification and they are legally free to do so.”

As well making a private apology to the family and amending the article Mail Online made a donation to charity. As the complaint was successfully mediated by IPSO, no ruling was made.

Topics in this article : ,

Email pged@pressgazette.co.uk to point out mistakes, provide story tips or send in a letter for publication on our "Letters Page" blog

Select and enter your email address Weekly insight into the big strategic issues affecting the future of the news industry. Essential reading for media leaders every Thursday. Your morning brew of news about the world of news from Press Gazette and elsewhere in the media. Sent at around 10am UK time. Our weekly does of strategic insight about the future of news media aimed at US readers. A fortnightly update from the front-line of news and advertising. Aimed at marketers and those involved in the advertising industry.
  • Business owner/co-owner
  • CEO
  • COO
  • CFO
  • CTO
  • Chairperson
  • Non-Exec Director
  • Other C-Suite
  • Managing Director
  • President/Partner
  • Senior Executive/SVP or Corporate VP or equivalent
  • Director or equivalent
  • Group or Senior Manager
  • Head of Department/Function
  • Manager
  • Non-manager
  • Retired
  • Other
Visit our privacy Policy for more information about our services, how New Statesman Media Group may use, process and share your personal data, including information on your rights in respect of your personal data and how you can unsubscribe from future marketing communications.
Thank you

Thanks for subscribing.

Websites in our network