News

Recorded crime 2018-19 - Sexual crimes at highest level since records began

New figures on recorded crime released today show sexual crimes at its highest level since records began.

Statistics released by the Scottish Government show that whilst overall crime has risen by 1%, sexual crimes have jumped up 8%. Reported rape and attempted rape has more than doubled (increasing by 115%) since 2010-11.

Sandy Brindley of Rape Crisis Scotland said:

“These statistics should be a wake-up call.

“This significant increase in recorded sexual crimes mirrors previous years and has often – in part – been put down to more confidence amongst survivors in reporting to the Police.

“Firstly, we should be clear that these figures are just a drop in the ocean. We know that half of those survivors who access Rape Crisis have not reported their experience to the police.

“Secondly, though there has been a significant increase in reports, this is not mirrored by an increase in convictions, which means that across Scotland many survivors are left devastated and without justice. It also means a high likelihood that guilty men are walking free.

“Thirdly it should be noted that local rape crisis services are doing incredible work in the face of unprecedented demand. Too often survivors are forced to wait for this often life-saving support; to fix this quite simply local services need more money.

“We can’t keep putting this increase down to more survivors feeling confident in reporting without asking deeper questions, not least what their experience is when they do report.

“Survivors can’t wait any longer for justice.”