The Liberal Democrats have revealed that less than 10 per cent of rape cases in Scotland went to court in 2007/2008. Party Justice spokesperson Robert Brown MSP has called on the Scottish Government to take action. Mr Brown wants Ministers to improve support for rape victims to encourage more people to take forward rape cases.

Figures obtained by Mr Brown through Parliamentary Questions show that there were a total of 908 recorded cases of rape in Scotland in 2007/08, but only 88 of these were proceeded against in court.

They also reveal a postcode lottery across Scotland's eight police boards, ranging 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.

Commenting, Mr Brown 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.

"Rape is a complex crime. It includes anonymous, horrific and violent crimes that will be traumatic for victims and families to relive during the justice process. It’s important that these victims are properly supported.

"But there are also date rape victims. These are also serious and traumatic crimes, but victims whose cases may be complicated by their relationship to the offender or where the evidence may not be as clear cut due to drugs and alcohol.

"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.

"This postcode lottery across Scotland's police boards is also very worrying. 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."

Notes:

In Giving Evidence to the Justice Committee the Lord Advocate described the crime of rape in the following way -

"The crime (of rape) is, uniquely, made criminal by the absence of consent. In all other circumstances, we are talking about conduct that is enjoyable, consensual and part of normal life for most people. Unlike any other area of criminality, it becomes criminal only because of one ingredient: the absence of consent. It can be extremely challenging to gain proof of that, particularly in the types of case that I have mentioned, when there may be an on-going sexual relationship; there may be a considerable degree of affection between the partners, which would ordinarily be displayed; and there may have been considerable consumption of alcohol or drugs on the part of both the accused and the victim."