News
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%.
Our response to the Stage One Report on the Victims, Witnesses and Justice Reform Bill
The Scottish Parliament’s Criminal Justice Committee has published its Stage One report on the Victims, Witnesses and Justice Reform Bill.
This presents a significant step towards making navigating Scotland’s criminal justice system easier for survivors of sexual violence. This report has been informed by the experiences of survivors, who have shown huge courage in sharing their experiences and views with the Committee, which are present throughout this report, and our thanks go to them. We also welcome the robust consideration the Committee has given this report, and how seriously they have considered the contributions and evidence of survivors.
New guidance for tackling gender-based violence in schools launched
A whole school framework for preventing and responding to gender-based violence has been launched today by the Scottish Government. It was developed collaboratively by the Gender-Based Violence in Schools Working Group co-chaired by Rape Crisis Scotland, Zero Tolerance and the Scottish Government. This launch of this first ever national approach to tackling gender-based violence in schools is a major step and we hope it will help make schools safer places for every child and young person in Scotland.
Funding extended for essential Rape Crisis services
We are delighted that vital funding has been extended for ten Rape Crisis Centres. This funding, which was due to expire at the end of March, will safeguard the posts for some of the specialist Rape Crisis workers, who deliver crucial frontline support services to survivors of sexual violence, for a further 12 months.
The funding will help Rape Crisis Centres across Scotland to continue to provide specialist support to survivors of sexual violence that can be truly lifesaving.
RSSLatest posts
- Changes announced by the Sottish Government to the Victims, Witnesses and Justice Reform Bill
- Landmark judgment on corroboration in sexual offence cases
- New figures show a significant rise in number of reported rapes in Scotland
- We’re intervening in a Supreme Court case
- We’re calling for more action following the proposed sentencing guidelines for rape
