There are secrets that are forbidden to be revealed. It’s the law ! For example, a judge may require that a victim’s name be withheld during a trial. But it was recently learned that two people had broken this rule. And they are now in trouble with the law. The Aces of Info explain to you why.
What happened
Let’s go back a little.
Catherine Fournier, who is today the mayor of Longueuil, filed a complaint of sexual assault in 2017. At the time, she was a member of the Parti Québécois. His attacker is Harold Lebel, a member of the same party. In November 2022, a judge found Harold Lebel guilty of sexual assault.
We journalists talked about this trial. But we did not have the right to say or write that the victim was Catherine Fournier. It was better to speak of “the victim” or “the complainant”. For what ? A publication ban prohibited us from naming her.
An order… what?
A publication ban is an order given by a judge that requires everyone to hide the identity of the victim of a crime. This serves to protect her, but also to encourage other victims to denounce their attacker. They may be less afraid to file a complaint if they can remain anonymous.
During Harold Lebel’s trial, the name of his victim had to remain a secret.
If the victim is under 18, their identity is automatically protected by an order and must remain secret
Two men accused
But two men did not respect the rule. On social networks, they revealed that the victim was Catherine Fournier.
These two men are therefore accused of having disobeyed the judge’s order. The official term is “ordinance violation.” They have pleaded not guilty, which means there will be a trial.
If found guilty, they could have to pay a very large fine and even go to prison.
Proof that you can’t write just anything on social networks!
Tell your own story
When Catherine Fournier felt ready, in April, she asked the judge to lift the order. This means that she now accepted that the media named her. That’s why you can read his name in your newspaper today! Now she wanted to tell her story herself.
In a letter published in The duty, she declared: “I hope today that my speech will help ensure that victims are better protected. »
And you, have you ever revealed a secret? Did you regret it?
Camille Lopez, based on an article by Stéphanie Marin
Want to know more?
Do you like to understand the news?
Come take a look at lesasdelinfo.com. We also have a whole section for teachers!
An Information Coops initiative supported by the Government of Canada.
