Background Info Flashcards
2.1 - It is evident that the rate of sexual crimes is extremely disproportionately convicted causing miscarriages of justice. To expand, in 20__/__, the conviction rate in Scotland for rape and attempted rape was __% compared to __% of all crimes and offences
2021/22
48%
88%
More likely to go undetected despite high frequency
2.2 - over the past __ years there has been a __% increase in the of sexual crime reported to police scotland
10 years
96%
Almost double reports in last 10 years
2.3 - in 20__-20__ the conviction rate average for cases of rape and attempted rape where it was a single charge on the indictment was __%
2018-2023
24%
Not being convicted at high rate even with reports increasing
2.4 - A quote from a jury member who took part in a sexual offence case follows,
“… do not permit me to determine the defendant as guilty as I do not believe there is sufficient corroboration…”
Shows the significant impact of corroboration on conviction. Miscarriages of justice
2.5 - according to the open universities open research, a lack of education leads to rape myths of which will inevitably affect a jury decision. The university says…
“the media’s portrayal of women in society and increases in misogynistic attitudes are conveyed across various social media platforms…”
Increase of misogyny
2.6 - what does the NHS say about testing?
the NHS states that testing after rape is with a trained professional and breaks are permitted but there is no mention of a choice of doctor. Leads to a lack of evidence as victims are put off by being vulnerable again
2.7 - clear that the Scottish legal system rule of corroboration is impactful on conviction rate…
This is because in places such as England and Wales, where the corroboration rule doesn’t apply, the conviction rate for sexual offences was 62% in 2022
