Toronto Star
Public Editor Kathy English writes that the newspaper’s decision to identify nursing home rape victim Danae Chambers “was both bold and brave.”
Even though Chambers’ brother and her guardian wanted her named to draw attention to the dangers vulnerable women face in nursing homes, the Star’s most senior editors still gave careful consideration to naming a sexual assault victim. Editor Michael Cooke gave the final go-ahead.
“We chose to identify Danae Chambers to put a human face to a problem we are told is prevalent and under-reported,” said investigations editor Kevin Donovan, who worked with reporters Moira Welsh and Jesse McLean. “We did this in the hope that government and eldercare leaders will take up the charge against this abhorrent situation.”
The original story ran Nov. 17.
Related: Slate/France editor explains why it named alleged rape victim | Why Poynter published Twitter handle of alleged rape victim | The ethics of naming rape victims | The stories we miss about rape and sexual violence
