News
Joint statement on long-term prisoner release
Rape Crisis Scotland has joined Scottish Women’s Aid, Victim Support Scotland and ASSIST in issuing the below statement on the planned long-term release of prisoners in Scotland.
As leading organisations upholding the rights of victims and witnesses of crime as well as women and girls affected by domestic abuse and gender-based violence in particular, we have come together to share joint concerns regarding proposed changes to the release of long-term prisoners.
In collectively acknowledging the dangers of an overcrowded prison estate, however, we maintain that short-term approaches like these are not the answer.
First ever sentencing guidelines for rape published
The Scottish Sentencing Council (SSC) has published the first ever draft guidelines on sentencing for rape.
We welcome these guidelines and hope they will lead to fairer and more transparent sentencing.
It's essential that the views of survivors are taken into account in finalising these guidelines and we encourage survivors to contribute their views by responding to the SSC's consultation. The consultation is open until 18 October 2024.
New statistics show survivors are waiting too long for justice
New statistics published by the Scottish Government show that the average time survivors are waiting for justice, from offence to conviction at the High Court, is 1,125 days.
No survivor should ever be left waiting for three years for justice. It’s totally unacceptable that this is now the average wait.
Our statement on Adams vs Edinburgh Rape Crisis Centre
As a national organisation working to end sexual violence, the needs of survivors are our priority.
Rape Crisis Scotland works with a network of 17 member Rape Crisis Centres across Scotland. Edinburgh Rape Crisis Centre is an autonomous member centre and as such, Rape Crisis Scotland was not involved in any of the circumstances that led to the tribunal.
All member Rape Crisis Centres are signed up to working within UK-wide National Service Standards. These standards detail the high quality of service every survivor can expect to receive from a Rape Crisis Centre. Membership of Rape Crisis Scotland is based upon a shared commitment to, and evidencing of, the UK-wide Rape Crisis National Service Standards.
Our statement on new figures on conviction rates for rape in Scotland
New figures released by the Scottish Government show the stark reality of just how difficult it is for survivors to get justice after rape.
On average, just 24% of those accused of rape in single complainer cases are convicted. This is a shockingly low figure. The figure for convictions for all crimes is far higher, at 84%.
RSSLatest posts
- Remembering Tansy Main
- Sex crimes in Scotland reach second-highest level in 54 years
- RCS calls for the Scottish Government and MSPs to work together to introduce key legislation for survivors of sexual crime
- Changes announced by the Sottish Government to the Victims, Witnesses and Justice Reform Bill
- Landmark judgment on corroboration in sexual offence cases
