News

RCS published Victims & Witnesses evidence

Rape Crisis Scotland has published written evidence to the Justice Committee on the Victim and Witnesses Bill, which is currently going through Stage 1 in the Scottish Parliament.

As part of this, we are calling for all complainers in sexual offence cases to have guaranteed access to a female forensic examiner, as all available evidence shows that this is the preference of female and male survivors. We welcome the proposal to make access to Special Measures an automatic right in sexual offence cases. We have also made a number of proposals for issues not currently covered within the Bill to be considered. You can download a copy of our written evidence here.

We are delighted to publish Issue 11 of Rape Crisis News: a very special Survivors’ issue.

Here we celebrate courage and resilience in the aftermath of sexual violence as well as the power of mutual support, creativity, education and campaigning for change.

Included in this issue are first-hand narratives from women on their experiences of the justice process, reflections on a rape-supportive culture and the impact of sexual violence, as well as a range of powerful poetry and artwork which has emerged from experiences of sexual violence and in some cases formed part of a healing process.

Our sincere thanks to all contributors. You can download the latest issue of Rape Crisis News here.