Rape Crisis Scotland | News

Rape Crisis Scotland chief executive steps down after 24 years

Nicola — Fri, 30 Jan 2026 16:00:00 +0000

Rape Crisis Scotland chief executive Sandy Brindley is stepping down after 24 years at the organisation.

Our response to Lord’s Advocate’s letter

Nicola — Fri, 05 Dec 2025 16:52:00 +0000

The Lord Advocate has written to the Scottish Parliament’s criminal justice committee following the recent Supreme Court ruling.

We talk a lot about the rise of rape and sexual violence, let’s talk about how to stop it

Nicola — Tue, 25 Nov 2025 18:43:00 +0000

As 16 Days begins, we’re reflecting on what needs to be done to tackle the rising prevalence of rape and sexual violence in Scotland and beyond.

Statement: Supreme Court ruling on Daly v HM Advocate; Keir v HM Advocate

Nicola — Wed, 12 Nov 2025 10:30:00 +0000

Our response to today’s Supreme Court judgement.

An open letter: Women against the Far Right Scotland

Nicola — Sun, 28 Sep 2025 20:00:00 +0100

‘Today has given survivors back their voice’: Campaigners celebrate removal of not proven verdict

Nicola — Wed, 17 Sep 2025 18:03:00 +0100

Scrapping the not proven verdict has “given survivors and their families back their voice”, a rape survivor has said.

Comment: Miss M speaks ahead of vote to scrap not proven verdict

Nicola — Mon, 15 Sep 2025 12:56:00 +0100

A rape survivor at centre of the campaign to remove the not proven verdict has spoken out ahead of the final stage of the Victims, Witnesses and Justice Reform Bill debate.

Remembering Tansy Main

Nicola — Tue, 08 Jul 2025 23:48:00 +0100

Sex crimes in Scotland reach second-highest level in 54 years

Nicola — Tue, 24 Jun 2025 17:15:00 +0100

New figures show that the number of sexual crimes recorded in Scotland is at its second highest level since 1971.

RCS calls for the Scottish Government and MSPs to work together to introduce key legislation for survivors of sexual crime

Sarah Gurney — Thu, 20 Mar 2025 13:23:00 +0000

Rape Crisis Scotland have released a briefing calling for MSPs to support key provisions in the Victims, Witnesses and Justice Reform (Scotland) Bill, including the establishment of a specialist sexual offences court and changes to the provisions of the contempt of court legislation to allow for approved research with juries.

Changes announced by the Sottish Government to the Victims, Witnesses and Justice Reform Bill

Sarah Gurney — Thu, 31 Oct 2024 12:57:00 +0000

The Scottish Government have today announced significant changes to the Victims, Witnesses and Justice Reform Bill which is currently going through the Scottish Parliament.

Landmark judgment on corroboration in sexual offence cases

Sarah Gurney — Wed, 30 Oct 2024 12:44:00 +0000

A judgement from nine senior judges has been issued today which transforms the approach to corroboration in sexual offence cases in Scotland. This follows on from a previous Lord Advocate’s reference last October, which resulted in clarification that:

New figures show a significant rise in number of reported rapes in Scotland

Mon, 28 Oct 2024 09:05:00 +0000

We’re intervening in a Supreme Court case

Mon, 21 Oct 2024 09:25:00 +0100

We’re calling for more action following the proposed sentencing guidelines for rape

Fri, 18 Oct 2024 10:36:00 +0100

Our statement on the Edinburgh Rape Crisis National Service Standards Report

Wed, 11 Sep 2024 19:12:00 +0100

Conviction rate for rape is the lowest for any crime type in Scotland

Mon, 26 Aug 2024 15:10:00 +0100

The conviction rate for rape and attempted rape was, for the 10^th year in a row, the lowest for any crime type in Scotland in 2021-22. Just 48% of rape cases that made it to court in 2021-22 resulted in a conviction. The overall conviction rate in Scotland for the same year was 88%. The conviction rate for rape has also decreased from 51% in 2020-21.

Joint statement on long-term prisoner release

Mon, 19 Aug 2024 11:00:00 +0100

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.

First ever sentencing guidelines for rape published

Tue, 23 Jul 2024 15:53:00 +0100

The Scottish Sentencing Council (SSC) has published the first ever draft guidelines on sentencing for rape.

New statistics show survivors are waiting too long for justice

Tue, 09 Jul 2024 15:10:00 +0100

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.