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| Expert unit probing sexual crimes | Expert unit probing sexual crimes |
| (about 8 hours later) | |
| A specialist unit set up to investigate and prosecute Scotland's most serious sex crimes has been involved in 100 cases since it began work last month. | A specialist unit set up to investigate and prosecute Scotland's most serious sex crimes has been involved in 100 cases since it began work last month. |
| The National Sexual Crimes Unit contains some of the country's most experienced legal experts. | The National Sexual Crimes Unit contains some of the country's most experienced legal experts. |
| The dedicated team of Crown Counsel advises procurators fiscal on how best to bring cases before the courts. | The dedicated team of Crown Counsel advises procurators fiscal on how best to bring cases before the courts. |
| It is hoped that the new unit will help increase the number of successful prosecutions for offences such as rape. | It is hoped that the new unit will help increase the number of successful prosecutions for offences such as rape. |
| The unit, which also contains a team of specialist procurators fiscal, is being headed by Derek Ogg QC, who has led the prosecution of some of Scotland's most serious offences. | The unit, which also contains a team of specialist procurators fiscal, is being headed by Derek Ogg QC, who has led the prosecution of some of Scotland's most serious offences. |
| Most rape cases don't even get as far as court so I think it is important to look at the justice system from start to finish Sandy BrindleyRape Crisis Scotland | |
| It undertakes cases including rape, sexual abuse, images which show child sex abuse, sexually motivated murder and people trafficking for sexual exploitation. | It undertakes cases including rape, sexual abuse, images which show child sex abuse, sexually motivated murder and people trafficking for sexual exploitation. |
| The review by the Lord Advocate in 2006 made 50 recommendations for improving how sexual offences were handled in Scottish Courts, including the introduction of specialist training on the investigation and prosecution of rape. | The review by the Lord Advocate in 2006 made 50 recommendations for improving how sexual offences were handled in Scottish Courts, including the introduction of specialist training on the investigation and prosecution of rape. |
| The Scottish Government said all 50 would be implemented by the end of the summer. | The Scottish Government said all 50 would be implemented by the end of the summer. |
| Only 3% of rape allegations in Scotland end in conviction. Women's organisations have described the figures as a "national disgrace". | Only 3% of rape allegations in Scotland end in conviction. Women's organisations have described the figures as a "national disgrace". |
| 'Sexual history' | |
| Sandy Brindley of Rape Crisis Scotland said: "We hope that as part of an overall picture, this unit will make some real difference in the real challenges we have in our conviction rate in Scotland. | |
| "There are a number of advantages to specialism in an area like sexual crimes, it certainly seems to have worked in other countries. | |
| "We're hoping it'll lead to a consistent approach and we hope the unit will take a robust approach in terms of what is said in court about complainers' sexual history. What women are subjected to in court is something we've been concerned about for a long time. | |
| "But most rape cases don't even get as far as court so I think it is important to look at the justice system from start to finish." | |
| She said the main weaknesses in the current system lay in the police response to rape, particularly if the woman making the claim had been drinking or there had been some consensual sexual contact, and in the questioning of victims in court about their sexual history or medical records. | |
| She added that, far too often, the focus had been on the victims' behaviour. |