PRIA condemns Mercer PR’s actions in releasing identity of Nauru sexual assault victim

The Public Relations Institute of Australia has condemned the actions of a PR agency which released the identify of a sexual assault complainant on Nauru on behalf of its client the Nauruan government.

On Monday the Mercer PR distributed a release stating a police investigation had found insufficient evidence over serious allegations of a sexual assault made by a female Somali refugee who was previously detained in the Australian-run detention centre on Nauru.

“The release of personal information that causes harm or distress to any person is strictly in breach our Code of Ethics which binds our members to adherence of agreed standards of behaviour,” the statement from PR industry body PRIA read.

However while PRIA has strongly condemned Mercer PR’s actions, they are not a member of the organisation and are therefore not bound by its Code of Ethics.