By Jean Christou
THE BRITISH High Commission has lodged an official complaint with the Press Ethics Committee over the publication of the initials of a 16-year-old alleged rape victim.
Two Greek language newspapers on Monday printed the initials of the young British tourist who reported she was raped by a British soldier near Oroklini early on Sunday.
The soldier was remanded for six days on Monday by the Larnaca court.
The publication of the girl’s initials comes within weeks of the same two newspapers, Phileleftherosand Alithia, identifying a British woman who claimed she was raped in Limassol.
That woman’s claim subsequently turned out to be false, but several newspapers had already identified her before the court decision. Their reports were based on a police bulletin in which she had been named in full.
At the time the newspapers and TV stations which had also identified the convicted father of an incest victim had been censured for the series of blunders by the Press Ethics Committee and the Union of Journalists.
The High Commission also complained at the time to the police chief.
Both police and the newspapers in question apologised for their “mistake” and promised it would not happen again.
In the latest incident, police did not identify the woman, but the Larnaca press agency from whom the papers received their information discovered the girl’s initials and published them in a communique to the press.
“We have complained to the two newspapers and we are considering taking the matter further,” the British High Commission spokesman said.
“The press code says they can’t publish any information which might lead to the identification of the alleged victim, and this is what they have done.”
The Family Violence Centre says the consequences of publishing names or identities of alleged victims can be catastrophic for the person invloved.
The High Commission spokesman said both newspapers have again apologised for their behaviour and said it would not happen again.
Phileleftheros
Editor Anthos Lycavgis told the Cyprus Mail that the High Commission complaint was totally justified.
“We are very very sorry. It was a stupid thing to do, but it was not done intentionally and we will do what we have to do to set it right and to make sure it does not happen again,” he said.
