Can victims of sexual crimes adopt a pseudonym for legal proceedings?

Victims of sexual crimes can adopt a pseudonym for legal proceedings to protect their identity and privacy. This practice is particularly important in sensitive cases like sexual assault, where the victims may face stigma, fear of retribution, or emotional distress if their identities are disclosed. Many legal systems recognize the need to balance the rights of the accused to a fair trial with the rights of victims to confidentiality.

Allowing victims to use pseudonyms helps to ensure their participation in the legal process without the additional stress of exposure. Courts often have policies or precedents in place that support this practice to encourage reporting and cooperation from victims who might otherwise be deterred by the possibility of their identities becoming public.