‘Disgrace’ as justice system is still failing victims of sex crime

VICTIMS of sex crime are still being let down by the justice system, more than 20 months after a damning report criticised an ‘unacceptable’ quality of service, a watchdog has warned.

Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary in Scotland (HMICS) found in March last year that some victims are examined in facilities that are under-equipped and have not been properly cleaned.

It made ten recommendations but none of them has yet been implemented in full and yesterday HMICS said ‘little has changed on the ground’. Among the most damning findings is that some victims of sex crimes are still having to wait for up to two days before they can wash, in a bid to preserve forensic evidence.

The HMICS follow-up report comes after Police Scotland figures last month showed the number of sex crimes, including rape, surged by 13.3 per cent in the past year.

Scottish Tory equalities spokesman Annie Wells said: ‘This report highlights the tragedy that many victims of sexual violence continue to be failed by the system.

‘At a time when sexual crime is on the increase, the failure of the SNP to improve medical forensic services is a disgrace.’

HM Chief Inspector Gill Imery said: ‘Those involved in the front line of this important service tell us that little has changed on the ground.’

In some areas, rape victims continue to be examined in police stations, despite a call for this to take place in ‘healthcare settings’.

Many complainers are still being examined by male doctors, while some victims

‘This highlights the tragedy’

continue to experience long delays in examinations taking place.

Sandy Brindley of Rape Crisis Scotland said: ‘The very least survivors of rape should be able to expect is a standard of forensic care which will allow their examination to take place in an appropriate location and by a female doctor – regardless of geographical location.’

Assistant Chief Constable Gillian MacDonald, lead officer for crime and protection at Police Scotland, said: ‘We are committed to improving services for victims of sexual crime.’

Dr Catherine Calderwood, chief medical officer for Scotland, who chairs the National Rape Taskforce, said: ‘I welcome the findings of this review but we know there is still more to do.’