Rinelle Harper and #YouKnowHerName spark publication ban debate

Following a controversial court-imposed publication ban on the name of a teenaged girl who took her life after an alleged sexual assault, we look at the laws surrounding youth publication bans, and whether it's time to rethink whose names stay hidden.

She's a big role model and she's a fighter. She's a hero to everybody.Julie Harper, the mother of Rinelle Harper

Earlier this month, 16-year-old Winnipeg girl Rinelle Harper was sexually assaulted and left for dead. Police chose to release her name after seeking the family's permission. They believed making Rinelle's name public would "humanize her" and help them to catch the perpetrators. Two men are now under arrest in connection with the assault.

But most parents in these circumstances are unable share their child's name with the media, even if they want to. Glen is the father of a teenager who took her life after an alleged sexual assault. For legal reasons, we're prevented from fully identifying Glen or his daughter.

These two cases have led some people to question when publication bans are useful. For a legal perspective on when publication bans are used, should be used, or shouldn't be used, we were joined by two experts:

Peter Jacobsen is a media lawyer with the firm, Bersenas-Jacobsen in Toronto.

Karen Busby is a Professor of Law at the University of Manitoba in Winnipeg.

Do you think the laws surrounding publication bans need to change?

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This segment was produced by The Current's Lara O'Brien, Idella Sturino and Marc Apollonio.