News

New figures show a 96% increase in the level of sexual crime reported to the police in Scotland over the past decade.

New figures released today by the Scottish Government show that:

• The level of reported sexual crime has increased by 96% over the past 10 years.
• In the past year, reported rape and attempted rape has increased by 9% and sexual assault by 29%.
• There has been a 17% increase in threatening to or disclosing intimate images.
• 37% of the sexual crimes recorded by the police in the past year (2021-22) related to a victim under the age of 18.

Rape Crisis Scotland’s Chief Executive Sandy Brindley stated:

“While at least some of this increase will be due to more people feeling able to report what has happened to them, these figures show that an alarming level of sexual crime is taking place across our country. Far more needs to be done to improve access to justice following a rape or sexual assault – rape continues to have the lowest conviction rate of any crime type. Young women and girls tell us that sexual harassment and sexual assaults can be a daily occurrence in schools across the country and much more needs to be done to create a culture where this kind of behaviour is not tolerated.”

Rape Crisis Scotland coordinates a prevention programme with local centres across Scotland which gives young people necessary education on consent and healthy relationships, as well as signposting where they can get support. More information on the prevention programme can be found here.