NAMING OF RAPE VICTIMS WON'T BE THE POLICY HERE

This is a distinctive, almost cathartic, day for many American news organizations. This newspaper and others across the nation are using for the first time the name of the accuser in the William Kennedy Smith rape case. The decision to do so, made easy after Patricia Bowman decided to relinquish her anonymity by appearing on national television tonight, appends a sensitive debate on the interests served by a long-standing policy in the news media of not naming victims of alleged rapes. However, no evidence has arisen in this public discussion to convince the Southeast Missourian to stray from the fundamental guideline that has been followed in these cases.

What are we to make of Bowman's decision to unmask herself on national television after so many months of wanting to guard her identity from the public? She has her reasons and we won't speculate on them. What we know is that the accusations she made against Smith in the spring have catapulted the subject of date rape, as well as the issue of rape victim anonymity, into the public spotlight. We know more about these matters, but can we draw any conclusions?

The national debate affirms for us that rape is a fierce and personal crime. The demands on the victim both through the violent act and in the victim's defense of her claim are enormous. Some have said that exposure of the case on television may dissuade rape victims from reporting the crime. Our sincere hope is that does not happen. We recognize that a court proceeding burdens a victim not only with reliving a traumatic event, but with having her credibility attacked. We do not feel naive, however, in believing the system ultimately can work and justice can be done when the crime occurs.

As the side issue in this case, news organizations were divided on naming the accuser. Some argue that withholding a rape victim's name will soon be a thing of the past for all news organizations. Many politicians some sincere, others merely wanting to raise their profile stepped forward as the Smith case developed and proposed laws that would prohibit the release of victims' names. It was a grandstand play to attack a problem that has not existed. Passing legislation to address atypical cases is bad government. We are pleased such a measure did not become law in Missouri.

The Southeast Missourian has a policy that rape victims' names will not be published. The newspaper subscribes to The Associated Press and United Press International, wire services that follow similar policies. Our naming of Patricia Bowman today comes about from her own willingness to discard her shield. We believe the policy of not naming rape victims is in their best interest, and they will have to be the ones to let us know otherwise. The policy will continue in this publication.