I would hope that anyone in potentially vulnerable placements around this kid should have had their program facilitators informed and then accordingly, the facilitators would be bound to notify all parents/guardians directly. Isn’t that the bare minimum, to contact the families of anyone who might have been alone with the boy directly in such a case? If the first families hear about this is through the media, is that not a horrific failure of communication?
There may be need for exceptions sometimes, but I still don’t see that being the case here. Callously broadcasting such information can easily lead to gossip/rumours that can harm victims &/or everyone around the kid that had nothing to do with the matter.
I would hope that anyone in potentially vulnerable placements around this kid should have had their program facilitators informed and then accordingly, the facilitators would be bound to notify all parents/guardians directly.
I would agree to this for sure. But we have to keep in mind that sexual predators don’t just victimize in one area. He could have been in contact with young kids at school, at a friends house, at the local playground, etc. You can’t possibly know who to notify, especially if you keep his identity a secret.
Even more concerning is that if he’s prosecuted as a young offender, he’ll get minimal jail time and likely nobody will ever know that he’s a sexual predator after he turns 18.
Perhaps when he’s convicted, they’ll lift the ban on anonymity. I’m certain the victims and their family won’t keep it a secret anyway.
And what if the accused minor is innocent? Not saying that is the case here, I know nothing about it, but in general errors do occur sometimes and we can’t burden an innocent person with the massive stigma of being accused of sexually abusing children.
There needs to be balance, obviously. If police are certain enough that there are more victims, age shouldn’t matter.
Whatever code of conduct applies to other cases where the name of the accused has been released should be exercised here.
Being a minor doesn’t excuse the seriousness of the crime, and when the potential for other victims to come forward exists, the justice system needs to accommodate them, not the accused.