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Rape Crisis Scotland calls for action as new figures show further fall in convictions for rape

Figures released by the Scottish Government in May 2021 revealed that almost a quarter of trials for rape or attempted rape result in a Not Proven verdict.

Only 43% of rape and attempted rape trials result in a conviction, compared to an 88% overall conviction rate. In 2019-20 there were 2,343 rapes and attempted rapes reported to the police, but only 300 prosecutions and just 130 convictions.

Sandy Brindley, Chief Executive said: "It is clear that the Scottish criminal justice system is failing the vast majority of people in Scotland who have been raped. Rape already had the lowest conviction rate of any crime type, to see it fall further, to only 43% of cases which make it to court, is alarming. Almost a quarter rape trials end in the not proven verdict, which is used disproportionately in rape cases. Political parties, including the SNP, need to follow through on their commitments made during the election campaign to remove this confusing and redundant third verdict."

"Bold action is needed to improve justice following rape. In March the review group chaired by Lady Dorrian, the Lord Justice Clerk, released a comprehensive report with key recommendations about how justice responses to sexual crime in Scotland could be improved. Acting on these recommendations must be a priority for the new government. It is the least that rape survivors deserve.”

*Please note: the figures in brackets above for 2018/19 were those published by the Scottish Government in this report last year. These have since been adjusted by the Scottish Government for 2018/19 in the report released today to reduce the number of prosecutions by 11 and of convictions by 10, meaning the conviction figure for 2018/19 given here is lower than that previously in the public domain.