Less than 10% of rape cases prosecuted

Published on Saturday 1 August 2009 20:01

FEWER than 10 per cent of rape cases end up in court, according to new figures.

The Scottish Government is now being called on to improve support for rape victims.

Figures obtained by the Liberal Democrats show there were a total of 908 recorded cases of rape in Scotland in 2007-8 – but only 88 of these were proceeded against in court.

Lib Dem justice spokesman Robert Brown, who obtained the figures, said: "These figures are very concerning.

"It is obvious that much more needs to be done to improve the prosecution levels for cases of rape in Scotland."

He added: "It is not the place of politicians to interfere with the legal process, which must continue to allow a fair trial to people accused of rape.

"But the government must make sure that victims of any rape can have confidence that their case will be taken seriously, they will be treated with sympathy, and everything possible will be done to bring justified and provable cases to court."

The figures also reveal a "postcode lottery" across Scotland's eight police force areas.

They range from a high of 14.3 per cent of cases proceeded against in the Northern Constabulary to a low of 3.6 per cent in Tayside.

Brown added: "Police boards with low rates of rape cases proceeding to court should look to learn lessons from areas where rates are higher.

"Rape is a serious crime. Boosting the number of cases proceeding to court would send a strong message that rape is unacceptable and that offenders will face the full force of the law."

A Scottish Government spokesman said:

"These statistics show that the number of recorded rapes has fallen in each of the last two years while the number of cases proceeded against rose in the last year, and it is clear that more needs to be done.

"That is why our Sexual Offences Bill, passed unanimously by the Scottish Parliament in June, builds on and consolidates recent advances in the law.

"In particular, it provides for the first time in Scots law a statutory definition of rape, making clear to lawyers and members of the public alike what is lawful and what is not."