Justice for rape victims

Much positive work is under way to improve the conviction rate for rape in Scotland. According to the latest figures, fewer than 4% of rapes reported to the police result in a successful prosecution. The conviction rate is among the worst in Europe and, in an effort to secure more prosecutions (while also protecting the rights of the accused), the Scottish Executive is in the process of implementing 50 recommendations from an expert group, including a presumption in favour of prosecution unless there are insurmountable weaknesses in evidence. In addition, the independent Law Commission is expected to conclude in an awaited report that the definition of rape should be widened and that there should be more flexibility in the degree of corroboration required.