May 15, 2012

Protecting Rape Victims’ Rights to Privacy and Access to Justice

This week NCVLI will file an amicus curiae brief in a sexual assault case before the Oregon Supreme Court involving Oregon’s rape shield statute. 

This case (and NCVLI’s work) was recently featured as a front page news story in the Oregonian newspaper.  Click here to read more.

This week NCVLI will file an amicus curiae brief in a sexual assault case before the Oregon Supreme Court.  Defendant argues that Oregon’s rape shield statute, which requires the court to conduct rape shield hearings in camera (meaning closed to the public), violates the state constitutional requirement of “open administration of justice”.  Therefore, he argues rape shield hearings should be open to the public.  NCVLI will argue that invalidating the in camera procedure would result in loss of the sexual assault victims’ federal constitutional rights to privacy and to access the courts, and state constitutional rights to justice and protection; to be accorded due dignity and respect; and to fair and impartial treatment in the criminal justice system.

Our amicus briefs educate the courts about how their decisions will impact victims and move us a step closer to ensuring that each case fulfills its potential to improve the landscape for future victims by setting positive legal precedent.  Donate today to help us build a better future for victims!