System ‘worse than sex attacks’
FIGURES published in February this year show Scotland’s legal system is still failing sex assault victims.
The conviction rate for rape in Scotland fell to its lowest level for 10 years.
The level of convictions for rape and attempted rape fell for the second year in a row, with only 39 per cent of cases prosecuted leading to a conviction.
Last year, Rape Crisis Scotland called for radical reform after the Inspectorate of Prosecution released a damning report into the prosecution of sexual crimes.
Victims told the inspectorate they suffered “degradation and humiliation” in the court system, with one describing the process as “worse than being raped”. Another said: “In our court system, you are totally humiliated.”
The report found trials can take place up to two years after police are informed.
Court dates are changed frequently, with complainers building themselves up to give what is very difficult evidence only to be told the night before that it isn’t going ahead.
The report also highlighted gaps in communication and in one case it took 15 months for the Crown to contact the complainer after police had filed a report.
Sandy Brindley of Rape Crisis Scotland said: “We have had two decades of rape reform in Scotland, yet still women describe the experience of seeking justice as bad or worse than being raped.
“If we are to improve confidence in Scottish justice responses to rape, then it is time to stop tinkering around the edges and commit to radical changes.”