The victims of sexual violence have waited too long for justice

The figures become meaningless eventually. The numbers are so big and the implicit failure of our justice system so vast, the statistics begin to blur and shimmy.

We cannot allow them to, however, because only the clearest possible focus on these numbers – every one a crime, every one an alleged victim of sexual violence – will help redress a national disgrace.

It is simply untenable that, in modern Scotland, men inflicting life-shattering sexual assaults are still more likely than not to evade justice and escape punishment.

So the figures matter. We know that only a tiny proportion of rapes are even reported to police. We know a vanishingly small number ever reach court. We know that then only 43% of the alleged rapists put in the dock are convicted.

In Scotland, in 2017-2018, there were 2,255 rapes and attempted rapes reported to the police and only 107 convictions. That is, of course, only the official records, and support workers say most victims approaching them have not gone to the police. Taken individually and together, these figures shame Scotland. Despite the warm words of a whole series of justice ministers and chief constables, our criminal justice system continues to fail the victims of these awful crimes.

Despite all the official encouragement urging victims to come forward, it is little surprise but deeply sad, that so many simply do not trust our police and prosecutors to secure justice and do not believe their pain will be eased by provoking an investigation which, the figures suggest, will lead nowhere.

Experts suggest reluctance to report sexual assaults to police has only hardened in recent years as victims realise their phones may be taken from them and scrutinised, the contents, personal texts and photographs possibly given to defence lawyers to exploit, to twist in court to help clear their alleged attackers.

Today, we reveal, piling insult upon injury, that victims are still being billed by mobile companies for phones they no longer have, that have been taken by the police and held for month after month until their case comes to court or, more likely, does not.

Is it really any wonder that victims are reluctant to come forward?

No doubt the warm words will continue from our politicians and police and their grand plans to improve conviction rates will continue to be unveiled. However, in the shortest possible term, the simplest things must be done to support victims and to make things better for them, not worse.

Police and mobile firms, together and apart, must urgently draft the clearest procedures and guidance for victims. It is the absolute least they deserve.