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The number of sex crimes reported in Scotland has gone up. Police Scotland’s figures suggest that in 2016/17, there were reports of 10,822 sex crimes committed, an increase of 5.2% on 2015/16. The number is a record high in Scotland.
The Scottish Police Authority (SPA) is due to be presented with two reports containing the updated statistics this week.The reports make reference to the fact that the increased figures come from both online offences and non-recent cases.
The continued rise in sexual offences, including rape, contrasts with a trend of crime reduction figures in Scotland. The difference in rates between sexual offences and general crime is a concern for police.In the year 2015/16, which ran until the end of March, there were 1,755 rapes reported, a figure which saw an increase of 2.3%. It was found that 41.5% of the rapes which were reported were classified as ‘non-recent’. A non-recent crime is one which is reported more than one year after the offence, meaning that when looking at recently-committed rapes, the figure was down by 1.6%.
Campaigners, including Rape Crisis Scotland say that the increased figures of historical reporting are a good thing. They suggest that the increase in non-recent rapes being reported is due to an increased confidence in victims that their claims will be believed.
Indecent or sexual assaults rose alarmingly to 6,996, an increase of 9.8%. Almost 2,000 of these cases were non-contact, which was an increase of nearly 10%. Many of the non-contact incidents were due to online communications, as well as through mobile phones.
The reports include sex crimes against children. The start of April 2017 saw the National Child Abuse Investigation Unit being made aware of 32 significant child abuse investigations in Scotland since January 2017. All 32 cases were still ‘live and ongoing’, while four of the cases had an online element.
The report noted that for rapes which took place with victims under 13, the majority of those which had been reported were non-recent, and had been committed by a family member. Where the victim was between the ages of 13 and 15, most of the cases reported were recent. Like victims under the age of 13, the majority of rapes had been committed by a family member, and had taken place in their abuser’s home or their own.
The reports which the SPA will be presented with are Police Scotland’s Performance Summary Report Quarter 4, and The Sexual Crime Overview. The Sexual Crime Overview concluded:
‘Police Scotland is committed to sustain and where possible improve its focus against sexual crimes to support and seek justice for those affected’.
Martin, Johnston & Socha criminal defence lawyers believe that everyone is entitled to a fair trial. Call us today at our Dumfermline office on 01383730466, our Kirkcaldy office on 01592640680, or or Alloa office on 01259725992, or complete our online enquiry form.
