The list below shows some useful publications both from Rape Crisis Scotland and from other organisations. You can browse through these publications using the list on the right hand side of this page. We have categorised them by publication type, as well as a tagging system to help you find what you are looking for.
You may need Adobe Acrobat to view some of these.
Drawing on recent research conducted in Scottish criminal courts, this article discusses the evidencing of sexual crimes through victim testimony. Despite significant reforms, complainers in sexual offence trials still find the process traumatic; the amount of sexual evidence introduced into the trial has increased; and the nature of such evidence draws on pervasive and outmoded rape myths.
Publication: Research
Recent Home Office research indicates that complainants in sexual offence cases still struggle to gain credibility in the eyes of police, prosecutors and jurors. This article examines some of the credibility barriers confronting victims of sexual offences within the criminal process. In the USA, prosecutors
have utilised expert witness testimony in an effort to educate jurors and restore credibility to complainants’ accounts. This article critically assesses these developments and explores the potential admissibility of ‘educational’ expert witness testimony in criminal courts in England and Wales.
Publication: Articles
Examines a range of preconceptions held by jurors as to the demeanour and behaviour of rape complainers, and the impact that educating jurors around these issues can have.
Publication: Resources
An overview of the impact and use of sexual history and character evidence in sexual offence trials, and of the effectiveness of legislation currently in place which was intended to limit this.
Publication: Resources