The Gender and Domestic Violence Commission is calling upon a magistrate to remove the ban she ordered on the publication of the name of a psychiatrist who has been charged with domestic violence.

In a statement, the commission said that it understands that a person is presumed innocent when facing court charges, but noted that because of his profession, the psychiatrist in question is still meeting clients, including women and children, who are in vulnerable situations, possibly as a result of domestic violence and abuse.

Magistrate Lara Lanfranco, who is hearing the case, has issued a ban on the psychiatrist’s name. Journalists present in the hall where the case was being heard were ordered out of the courtroom.

The commission said that in these circumstances, the court should consider the wellbeing of society. The banning on the name leads to mistrust in professionals in general, and throws bad light on all of them when only one individual is allegedly at fault.

The commission also remarked that journalists are prohibited from reporting on the vase “which is of substantial importance to society”.

It urged victims of abuse to continue to seek advice of professionals and appealed to anyone experiencing harassment to report the matter to the concerned entities.