Statement . Let Our Voices Emerge (L.O.V.E.)

Statement Starts.

The Let Our Voices Emerge (L.O.V.E.) charity, supporting those maintaining innocence of child abuse allegations made the following submission from the floor at the 'Justice and Law Reform' consultation in Dublin Castle.

'Child abuse is a heinous act, so much so that even an allegation of abuse is to have serious repurcussions. We maintain that it be made mandatory that no accused be named in the media unless a conviction is obtained.

The juries are at present able to read horrendous accounts of allegations being made, and are then expected to return to court to make an objective decision.Not only is this practically impossible, but it may have the adverse effect where a person actually guilty of abuse can claim 'trial by media' in their defence.

The media, in it's desire to protect the public,and the abused, may actually hand a means for a child abuser to escape justice.Surely, for the falsely accused, and genuienly abused, it would be far safer to hold off 'naming' and thereby 'shaming'in allegations of child abuse, because of the particularly horrendous implications.

Florence Horsman Hogan: P.R.O. (L.O.V.E.)086-8762148.

Statement Ends.