Sex assault victims given greater legal protections in Scotland under new bill

dailyrecord.co.uk:

Sex assault victims will get the right to independent legal representation when their attackers are on trial, Justice Minister Keith Brown has said.

In an exclusive interview with the Daily Record, Brown said the new Criminal Justice Reform Bill will put greater protections in place so courts are a less hostile environment for female victims.The Scottish Government has already set out plans to abolish the Not Proven verdict, which features disproportionately in rape trials.But the new Bill will also allow sex assault victims to have a lawyer representing them during trials, making sure they are not put through an ordeal when giving evidence.

Brown said: “The First Minister has expressed a desire to make this change and it is another important step on the path to making the criminal justice system more comfortable for victims of sexual offences.“Having access to their own lawyer for support and advice during a trial, to help maintain their right to privacy, should encourage victims to report and feel safe.”Sandy Brindley, chief executive of Rape Crisis Scotland, said: “It’s long overdue and we still need to do much more to protect the dignity and privacy of people who have the courage to report rape.“Just because you report rape, your private life should not be exposed.

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