Section 21Sec./Art. 21

Confidentiality. The right to privacy of the child shall be ensured at any stage of the investigation, prosecution and trial of an offense under thisAct. Towards this end, the following rules shall be observed:

(a)The judge, prosecutor or any officer of the law to whom the complaint has been referred may, whenever necessary, ensure a fair and impartial proceeding and after considering all circumstances for the best interest of the child, conduct a closed-door investigation, prosecution or trial;

(b)The name and personal circumstances of the child, including the child's immediate family, or any other information tending to establish the identity of the child shall not be disclosed to the public;

(c)Any record regarding a child shall be confidential and kept under seal.ᇈWᑭHIL Except upon written request and order of the court, a record shall be released only to the following:

(1)Members of the court staff for administrative use;

(2)The prosecuting attorney;

(3)Defense counsel;

(4)The guardianad litem;

(5)Agents of investigating law enforcement agencies; and

(6)Other persons as determined by the court.

(d)Any form of child sexual abuse or exploitation that is part of the court records shall be subject to a protective order that provides as follows:

(1)Any form of child sexual abuse or exploitation may be viewed only by the parties, their counsel, their expert witness and guardianad litem;

(2)Neither form of child sexual abuse or exploitation nor any portion thereof shall be divulged to any other person, except as necessary for investigation, prosecution or trial; and

(3)Noperson shall be granted access to any form of child sexual abuse or exploitation or any part thereof unless there is a written affirmation of the receipt of a copy of the protection order; that such person submits to the jurisdiction of the court with respect to the protective order; and that, in case of violation thereof, such person will be subject to the contempt power of the court; and

(e)It shall be unlawful for any editor, publisher, reporter or columnist in case of printed materials, announcer, producer or social media influencer or content creator, in case of television and radio broadcasting and digital media, and producer and director of the film in case of the movie industry, to cause any undue publicity that may result in the further suffering of the child. Any person or agency involved in the reporting, investigation or trial of cases under thisActshall refrain from anyactor statement that may be construed as blaming the victim or placing responsibility on the victim for the offense committed against them.