Sexual offences
Research on public perceptions of sexual offences sentencing published
New research carried out on behalf of the Scottish Sentencing Council has found a lack of awareness over the offences created by the Sexual Offences (Scotland) Act 2009 and suggests the public should be engaged on the range and scope of sexual offences.
Published 8 July 2021
Growing proportion of prisoners are sexual offenders
Supplementary experimental prison population statistics covering the period 2009-10 to 2019-20 have been published by Scotland’s chief statistician.
Published 28 April 2021
New paper proposes framework for criminalising deceptive sex
An Edinburgh academic has proposed a novel framework for establishing when deceptive sex should be considered to have crossed the threshold of criminality.
Published 10 November 2020
New research raises concerns over use of sexual history in trials
The Equality and Human Rights Commission in Scotland has published new research into how sexual history and bad character evidence is used in sexual offences trials.
Published 18 August 2020
Child sexual offences in Scotland rises by one-third over five years
New data recorded by Police Scotland shows an increase in sexual offences towards children over the past five years. The figures reveal that last year an average of 15 child sexual offences were recorded every day in Scotland.
Published 10 August 2020
Call for legal representation for complainers when sexual history evidence is sought
Lawyers have said there is a case for complainers in sexual offences cases to be given their own legal representation when applications are made to lead evidence of bad character or sexual history so they can make submissions on whether such an application should be granted in order to prevent "re-victimisation" of complainers.
Published 19 June 2020
Thirteen per cent decrease in crimes recorded under Domestic Abuse Act 2018
There has been a drop in crimes recorded under the Domestic Abuse (Scotland) Act 2018, according to Scotland's chief statistician.
Published 4 June 2020
Views sought on bill for medical self-referral of alleged victims of sexual offences
A bill providing for the healthcare needs of alleged victims of rape and sexual offences is to be considered by the Scottish Parliament’s Health and Sport Committee.
Published 9 December 2019
Exclusive: Scotland considers creation of sexual offences court
Scotland is considering the creation of a dedicated sexual offences court, a judge has said.
Published 28 August 2019
England: Girl who claims she lied about being sexually abused by grandfather has plea for his release rejected
A girl who told judges she lied about allegations that resulted in her grandfather being convicted and jailed for sexually abusing her has had her plea for him to be released rejected.
Published 8 April 2019
England: Woman who falsely claimed to have been raped and sexually assaulted 15 times lose appeal against conviction
A judge in the Court of Appeal has said it "beggars belief" that a woman would falsely claim to have been raped and sexually assaulted 15 times in order to claim victim compensation, as her appeal against conviction was rejected.
Published 29 March 2019
Frances McMenamin QC to be Faculty representative on sexual offences review group
A senior criminal practitioner will be a Faculty representative on a new panel looking at the way sexual offence cases are dealt with in the courts.
Published 26 March 2019
Judge-led review group to consider improving complainers’ experience without compromising accused’s rights
A judge-led review group is to consider what distinguishes sexual assault cases from other criminal cases and how court process and the experiences of complainers and witnesses can be improved – without compromising the rights of the accused.
Published 21 March 2019
