News

A Woman's Story: A Survivor Speaks Out

Edinburgh Rape Crisis are today launching ‘A Woman’s Story:  My Personal Experience of Going Through the Policing and Judicial System after being Raped’.

In this powerful account, a woman tells of her sense of violation by how she was treated within the judicial process, and how devastated she was by the not proven verdict in her case.

A lot of important work has taken place in recent years to improve complainers’ experience of reporting rape, and the resulting justice processes.  Since the advent of Police Scotland, the way the police investigate rape has been transformed, and we hear a lot of positive feedback from survivors about how the police treated them.  Similarly, the establishment of the National Sexual Crimes Unit within the Crown Office has resulted in a team of dedicated and highly experienced prosecutors.  However, what this woman’s story tells us – clearly and urgently – is that much more needs to be done.  It is just not acceptable for women not to be offered female doctors for what can be an intimate and distressing forensic examination in the immediate aftermath of being raped.  Or for these examinations to be carried out in police stations.  And we should be able to meet someone’s sexual health needs following a rape or sexual assault far more sensitively and appropriately.  The not proven verdict is an anomaly, is used disproportionally in rape trials, and in our view should be removed.  

The biggest issue, however, and one we hear time and time again at Rape Crisis, is how intensely violating the experience of giving evidence in court can be.  Evidence needs to be tested, but our experience is that – certainly from the complainers’ perspective – this testing can end up feeling like being bullied and harassed.  Rape Crisis Scotland believes that we can and should do more to protect complainers.  The proposals in the Evidence and Procedure Review by the Scottish Courts and Tribunal Service offer a vision of a justice system which protects both vulnerable complainers and those accused, in a way which we consider better enables the search for truth. 

Rape Crisis Scotland National Coordinator Sandy Brindley said: "Too many women have gone through experiences similar to that of the woman who has bravely written this story;  too many women have told us that the experience of giving evidence in court felt at least as violating as the rape itself.  This woman’s story is a call for change, and we hope that the new Scottish Parliament is willing to listen, and take action."

Responding to the ERCC report, Assistant Chief Constable Malcolm Graham said:

“We are committed to continually improving our response to reports of rape and other sexual offences and to conducting rigorous and robust investigations.

“We work closely with a range of partners to improve the investigation of sexual offences including Rape Crisis Scotland, and their feedback has influenced the development of our services.

“Police Scotland’s Sexual Offences Liaison Officers (SOLO) go through enhanced interview training with an emphasis on treating people with empathy. Since last year, SOLO training includes the impact of trauma on individuals, delivered in partnership with NHS and Rape Crisis Scotland staff. Trauma training is now given to all police recruits as part of their initial training and is accessible to all other officers."

The full Police Scotland response can be accessed here.

The Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service said:

"Rape and all sexual crimes have been a high priority for the prosecution service for a number of years. The Crown has a specialist team of highly trained prosecutors who deal with rape and sexual crimes and a team dedicated solely to supporting and providing information to victims throughout the case.

"We continually strive to improve and develop our engagement with victims and witnesses to assist and support them through the prosecution process.

"Victims of these crimes now receive communications tailored to best suit their requirements following the introduction of the Victim strategy in 2014.

"We welcome the feedback provided and would be happy to meet with the victim in this case to identify any further improvements to our service."

Read: A Woman's Story: my personal experience of going through the policing and judicial system after being raped

Article in The Scottish Mail on Sunday (22.05.16)

The Support & Development worker Linda Gray is based at Voluntary Action Shetland in Lerwick but support will be available at other locations as well as by phone and Vsee to ensure access for all and maximise confidentiality.

Last year 30 sexual crimes were reported in Shetland but Linda highlights ‘There can be many reasons why people don’t tell, not only the Police but those around them, so we know this is not the full picture. We are here to offer a safe space to talk, where people will be believed and supported, whether or not they decide to report’.

Sandie Barton, the National Co-ordinator at Rape Crisis Scotland said ‘For too long it has been a postcode lottery about the support available for people affected by sexual crime. People in remote and island communities need access to support and we are really pleased to see the launch of this much needed service.’

The new website www.shetlandrapecrisis.scot launches today, and we can also be found on facebook and twitter. To get in touch, find out more or make a referral please get in touch contact@shetlandrapecrisis.scot or phone 01595 745078.

The service is funded by the Scottish Government as part of the additional £20 million pounds to tackle violence against women, is managed by Rape Crisis Scotland, with mentoring support from the Rape and Sexual Abuse Service Highland based in Inverness.

Cabinet Secretary for Justice Michael Matheson said:

“We are absolutely committed to tackling domestic abuse and sexual violence and recognise the importance of supporting victims no matter where they live. Last year we provided extra funding of £1.85 million to Rape Crisis Scotland to help to ensure specialist support is available to victims across Scotland.

“As well as providing the 14 existing rape crisis centres with an 80% boost in funding, this money supported facilitated the opening of new centres in Shetland and Orkney, where historically it has not been easy for victims to access vital services.

“We recognise the importance of the work of Rape Crisis Scotland to ensure victims of sexual violence have a voice and get the help and advice they need and we are pleased to be able to support that vital work.”

For more information please contact Sandie Barton on sandie.barton@rapecrisisscotland.org.uk or Linda Gray on linda.gray@shetland.org or 07570 062362.

You can access a new leaflet giving information about Shetland Rape Crisis services here.