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Reported rape and attempted rape rises by 8% over past year

The number of rapes and attempted rapes reported in Scotland has risen by almost one third in four years, new figures have said.

The Scottish Government has released new data about recorded crime in 2025-26, which includes a total of 16,560 sexual offences reported to police.

Figures showed cases of rape and attempted rape rose 8% between 2024-25 and 2025-26.

It also shows that the number of reported rapes and attempted rapes in Scotland are 32% higher than 2022, with 3240 offences recorded last year.

The number of domestic abuse incidents reported has increased 81% in the past four years, and 19% in the past 12 months, with 3,264 reports made in the year to June.

These figures do not represent survivors of rape, sexual violence and domestic abuse who choose not to report what has happened to them to the police.

Last week the First Minister pledged his personal leadership to tackle violence against women and girls. It’s time we saw that.

Rape Crisis Scotland’s Chief Executive Alev Taylor said: “Scotland continues to let down survivors with increasing levels or rape and sexual violence, unacceptable wait times in the criminal justice process, and desperately underfunded support.

“There is a lack of investment in prevention and tackling the roots causes of sexual violence, however there is also a failure to address the situation we’re in right now. Increasing numbers of survivors are unable to access the support they need when they need it, and this cannot go on any longer.

“As reported sexual offences continue to rise, services which support survivors navigating the criminal justice system are struggling meet the demand. Over the past year, 13 out of 19 services across Scotland have been forced to operate waiting lists and at least 1378 survivors have been forced to wait for the support they need.

“Last week the First Minister pledged his personal leadership to tackle violence against women and girls. It’s time we saw that.”