Margaret Curran: Time to end the 'get out' clause for rapists

SCOTLAND has one of the lowest conviction rates for rape in Europe. Research suggests that just 3 per cent of rapes recorded by the police result in a conviction. This statistic is truly appalling and urgently needs to change.

The public – quite rightly – see sexual assault as one of the most serious crimes and it's time that convictions rates increased. A message needs to be sent clearly to perpetrators that if you assault someone you will be prosecuted and if you are gui...