The system, although improved, remains woeful in its failings

Women were asked if they were on contraceptives, slut-shamed and disbelieved. The culture was misogynistic and repressive and, to a large extent, it still is.

Police Scotland have a rape task force and the old, male supremacists are slowly being retired. Lawyers are no longer let loose like pit bulls, tearing apart a victim’s character. But recently, a report by the Inspectorate of Prosecutions described women’s experience of rape trials in Scotland as “secondary victimisation”. The system, although improved, remains woeful in its failings. I have been in courts where terrified women have been broken by showboating defence lawyers or have bumped into their attacker in the hall of the court. This retraumatises victims, who are already psychologically damaged. Solicitor-general Alison Di Rollo was unable to rule out that “in exceptional circumstances” victims who refuse to give evidence could face jail. Rape Crisis Scotland were barely consulted and have called on the Scottish Government to commission independent research to find out why victims feel compelled to withdraw from proceedings. They have demanded an end to prolonged processes in rape cases which can drag them out for two years or more. Rather than the Crown exploring ways to improve the court experience, the changes are counter-intuitive. Conviction rates are already dire, juries innately prejudiced, so it is inconceivable that a victim being dragged to court is going to help win a case. a.brown@ dailyrecord. co.uk