Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service

Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service

20 May 2008

Investigation and Prosecution of Rape:

Specialist Training Reaches over 100 Staff

The Lord Advocate, Elish Angiolini QC, today visited the Scottish Prosecution College in Glasgow, where over 100 staff have now attended a 2 day intensive training programme in the investigation and prosecution of rape and other sexual offences.

Prosecutors and investigative staff from across Scotland have been attending the Prosecution College training as a result of the Review of Sexual Offences, which was instructed by Mrs Angiolini when she was Solicitor General. The delivery of tailor made training was a key recommendation from the review.

Mrs Angiolini said:

"Sexual offences are some of the most vile crimes we face as a society. In this area, perhaps more than any other, it is vital that offenders know that they will be brought to justice, and victims know that they can come forward and report offences with complete confidence.

"That is why I am determined that Scotland's prosecution service will do the very best job possible in investigating and prosecuting rape and sexual offences. This training is a vital part of ensuring that there is a professional, clinical and determined approach to gathering evidence, and bringing prosecutions before the Court. We are drawing on a broad range of expertise to ensure that our staff have a good understanding of the impact of sexual offending; of the use of expert evidence; and of best practice in overcoming the inherent difficulties in prosecuting these cases.

"Communities across Scotland can have confidence that we have the very best expertise at our fingertips ensuring that our approach to investigating and prosecuting these crimes is as professional and effective as it can be. There should be no doubt that we will gather all available evidence in the public interest and, where we have sufficient evidence to bring before a Court, we will present a compelling prosecution case."

The Scottish Prosecution College also recently hosted a 2 day seminar for all members of Crown Counsel, who are responsible for prosecuting rape cases in the High Court. This included specialist sessions on enabling children to give their best evidence; the use of medical and expert evidence; and sexual history and character evidence. The seminar was led by the Principle Advocate Depute, Brian McConnachie QC, and included valuable contributions from leading experts and academics.

Notes to Editors

1. The initial phase of the training programme is aimed at reaching all key staff in a concentrated period of time. Due its intensive and specialist nature, the training is targeted at those staff who are regularly involved in the investigation and trial preparation of rape and sexual offence cases. By the end of June 2008 approximately 300 people will have attended. The provision of sexual offences prosecution training will then become a routine part of the ongoing programme of training delivered at the Scottish Prosecution College.

2. 31 of the 50 recommendations made in the Review of Sexual Offences have now been implemented. All 50 are due to be implemented by Summer 2009. The delivery of specialist training, including sessions led by Rape Crisis Scotland, leading forensic scientists, and senior prosecutors, was a key recommendation from the review.

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