‘The identity of a child victim must be safeguarded at all times’
Fi We Children responds to public calls for former MP to be named after incest charge
Youth empowerment group Fi We Children Foundation (FWCF) says while public interest in accountability is understandable, it must never come at the expense of a child’s safety and dignity.
It made the remarks in a statement Tuesday following reports that a former Member of Parliament has been charged with incest involving his minor daughter, and public outcry demanding that the accused be named.
READ: Former MP charged with incest
“International standards on child protection and ethical journalism are clear: the identity of a child victim must be safeguarded at all times. Naming or revealing identifying details of the accused in cases of incest or intra-family abuse can indirectly expose the child, causing further harm, stigma, and trauma,” FWCF said in the release.
It said it is concerned that inconsistent media practices have contributed to a growing perception that victims or those connected to them must be publicly identified.
“This undermines child protection principles and risks normalising harmful reporting standards,” the group added.
FWCF noted that consistent child-sensitive media reporting means:
• Never publishing names, photos, or identifying details of child victims or information that could lead to their identification (e.g. school, community, or family ties);
• Avoiding sensational headlines that exploit the trauma of the child;
• Ensuring equal protection across all cases, regardless of the status of the accused;
• Refraining from publishing details that may indirectly reveal the child’s identity, such as naming a parent or guardian in cases; and
• Using respectful, non-blaming language that does not stigmatize the victim.
“If we are to genuinely uphold child rights and ethical journalism, we cannot be selective in our sensitivity. Protecting child victims must be a constant standard” said Africka Stephens, Executive Founder of FWCF.
FWCF said it urges all media practitioners and the public to prioritize the best interests of the child by adhering strictly to consistent, child-sensitive reporting practices.
