News

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.

Our statement on the conclusion of the Emma Caldwell trial

The murder of Emma Caldwell was an appalling crime. Our thoughts are with Emma’s family and loved ones at this very difficult time. Our thoughts are also with the survivors of the sexual crimes which were committed by this perpetrator. We would like to pay tribute to the courage they demonstrated in coming forward and giving evidence in the trial.