News
Recorded crime 2018-19 - Sexual crimes at highest level since records began
New figures on recorded crime released today show sexual crimes at its highest level since records began.
Statistics released by the Scottish Government show that whilst overall crime has risen by 1%, sexual crimes have jumped up 8%. Reported rape and attempted rape has more than doubled (increasing by 115%) since 2010-11.
Sandy Brindley of Rape Crisis Scotland said:
“These statistics should be a wake-up call.
“This significant increase in recorded sexual crimes mirrors previous years and has often – in part – been put down to more confidence amongst survivors in reporting to the Police.
“Firstly, we should be clear that these figures are just a drop in the ocean. We know that half of those survivors who access Rape Crisis have not reported their experience to the police.
“Secondly, though there has been a significant increase in reports, this is not mirrored by an increase in convictions, which means that across Scotland many survivors are left devastated and without justice. It also means a high likelihood that guilty men are walking free.
“Thirdly it should be noted that local rape crisis services are doing incredible work in the face of unprecedented demand. Too often survivors are forced to wait for this often life-saving support; to fix this quite simply local services need more money.
“We can’t keep putting this increase down to more survivors feeling confident in reporting without asking deeper questions, not least what their experience is when they do report.
“Survivors can’t wait any longer for justice.”
Facebook Page Name Change
This is a notification that the name of our official Facebook page 'RCS Campaigns' will be changed to Rape Crisis Scotland, reflecting the name and brand of our organisation and the breadth of our work beyond campaigning.
Guide to the criminal justice system for survivors of sexual violence: updated
Rape Crisis Scotland have today (Wednesday 10th July 2019)
launched an updated video guide to the criminal
justice system for survivors of
sexual violence, featuring key people that survivors will come into contact
with during the justice process.
This includes a specially trained police officer, a rape crisis advocacy
worker, a Procurator Fiscal, a defence lawyer, an advocate for the prosecution
and a judge.
Funded by the Scottish Government, the video is an accessible and comprehensive guide to a system that many survivors describe as complex and disorientating. It sets out clearly each stage of the process, who is involved and what their role is. It is hoped that – in addition to ongoing work to improve the justice system for survivors of sexual violence – the video will increase access to justice for crimes that are widely underreported.
Fairness, dignity and justice - changing Scotland's response to sexual crimes
A judicially led review, chaired by the Lord Justice Clerk Lady Dorrian, will develop new proposals for how sexual offences are dealt with within the Scottish Criminal Justice System.
At Rape Crisis Scotland we consistently hear that many survivors feel let down by the justice process, and yet the volume and complexity of sexual offences has grown so much in recent years that the majority of High Court trials now relate to recent or historical sexual offences. This review is clearly a significant opportunity to think creatively and practically about building a system that has fairness and dignity at its heart.
According to the Judiciary, the review group – which will be made up of judiciary and representatives of the Scottish Courts and Tribunals Service, Police, COPFS, justice agencies and third sector organisations – will look at the opportunities to manage cases in a way which is efficient, delivers justice as locally as possible at the earliest opportunity, and improves the experience of complainers in giving their evidence.
“We are hopeful about the potential this review brings because it is impossible to underestimate just how necessary and urgent action on improving rape survivors experience of the justice system is. What is especially welcome is the approach of Lady Dorrian in looking at the prosecution of sexual offences cases with a blank slate - this gives all of us the opportunity to think creatively and imagine a system that protects both the human rights of those accused of serious sexual crime, and those who are complainers.
"It's never going to be easy to pursue justice following rape or sexual violence, but there are concrete actions that can be taken to reduce the trauma currently experienced by complainers. We look forward to working closely with Lady Dorrian and the whole group on this important issue."
– Sandy Brindley, Rape Crisis Scotland
“This is an opportunity for all the organisations involved to look at the overview of sexual offences prosecuted in our courts and deliver an improved approach to ensure that these cases are dealt with as efficiently and effectively as possible for all concerned. It will also consider how to improve the experience of victims when giving their evidence.”
– Lady Dorrian
New figures show almost 1 in 5 trials for rape/attempted result in Not Proven
New figures released today by the Scottish Government show that almost one in five trials for rape or attempted rape result in a Not Proven verdict.
The figures also show a fall in the number of prosecutions but a slight increase in the number of convictions.
• Almost one in five rape and attempted rape trials result in a not proven verdict.
• 43% of rape and attempted rape trials result in a conviction.
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