Why arent juvenile offenders named and shamed?

The recent shocking leaked news that a 12 year old boy was accused of sexually assaulting a 9 year boy in Mandurah left parents at the affected school angry they had not been advised about what was going and said it felt like a 'cover-up'.

The reality is that in WA publication of juveniles' names in relation to criminal proceedings – as either offenders, victims or witnesses is prohibited by law.

The rationale for protecting the identity of juvenile offenders is primarily about the impact 'naming and shaming' has on young offenders' rehabilitation prospects. Other reasons for maintaining privacy include the detrimental effects that publication would have on a young offender's siblings and extended family and the potential to identify child victims.