The chief constable of Police Scotland has warned that rape figures north of the Border are "shockingly high."
Sir Stephen House told the Scottish Police Authority (SPA) yesterday that the crime increased by 27% in April, May and June this year compared to the same period last year.
He said people are coming forward with cases which may have happened 25 or 30 years ago but that the police took historic cases just as seriously. Of the 202 rapes reported this year, less than half took place this year.
"That is not a hiccup, a blip or anomaly," said Sir Stephen. "What we are seeing is real change here."
He said the detection rate by police is 72% but the conviction rate is far lower.
He believes the change is, in part, due to the high-profile cases against Jimmy Savile.
He said he believes there is growing confidence amongst the public and victim support groups that police will take it seriously.
"A weekend on average will have four, five, six rape incidents across Scotland," said Sir Stephen. "Some people will find that shockingly high. I think it is."
Other violence across Scotland is down by 16% on the same period.
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