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We’re calling for more action following the proposed sentencing guidelines for rape
Rape Crisis Scotland calls for more action following the release of proposed sentencing guidelines for rape – the first ever to be published. We’re calling for:
- Mandatory participation in sex offender programmes to be included in sentencing. This is currently optional, and many rapists leave prison without having undergone any rehabilitation of this nature.
- Survivors to be given the right to read out victim impact statements where they wish to do so. This right is currently in place in England and Wales.
- Mandatory non-harassment orders as part of sentencing to protect victims when their rapists are released from jail.
The guidelines, published in draft by the Scottish Sentencing Council (SSC), set out how a sentence for rape should be determined by judges following a guilty verdict in court.
Our statement on the Edinburgh Rape Crisis National Service Standards Report
The independent review of Edinburgh Rape Crisis Centre (ERCC) has presented challenging findings, and recommendations for improvements to the organisation, its operations, and how it provides services. It also makes important recommendations for Rape Crisis Scotland (RCS), which we accept and will act on.
Conviction rate for rape is the lowest for any crime type in Scotland
The conviction rate for rape and attempted rape was, for the 10th year in a row, the lowest for any crime type in Scotland in 2021-22. Just 48% of rape cases that made it to court in 2021-22 resulted in a conviction. The overall conviction rate in Scotland for the same year was 88%. The conviction rate for rape has also decreased from 51% in 2020-21.
Joint statement on long-term prisoner release
Rape Crisis Scotland has joined Scottish Women’s Aid, Victim Support Scotland and ASSIST in issuing the below statement on the planned long-term release of prisoners in Scotland.
As leading organisations upholding the rights of victims and witnesses of crime as well as women and girls affected by domestic abuse and gender-based violence in particular, we have come together to share joint concerns regarding proposed changes to the release of long-term prisoners.
In collectively acknowledging the dangers of an overcrowded prison estate, however, we maintain that short-term approaches like these are not the answer.
First ever sentencing guidelines for rape published
The Scottish Sentencing Council (SSC) has published the first ever draft guidelines on sentencing for rape.
We welcome these guidelines and hope they will lead to fairer and more transparent sentencing.
It's essential that the views of survivors are taken into account in finalising these guidelines and we encourage survivors to contribute their views by responding to the SSC's consultation. The consultation is open until 18 October 2024.
RSSLatest posts
- RCS calls for the Scottish Government and MSPs to work together to introduce key legislation for survivors of sexual crime
- Changes announced by the Sottish Government to the Victims, Witnesses and Justice Reform Bill
- Landmark judgment on corroboration in sexual offence cases
- New figures show a significant rise in number of reported rapes in Scotland
- We’re intervening in a Supreme Court case
