Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service

25 June 2009

LORD ADVOCATE SPEAKS AT NATIONAL PROSECUTION

CONFERENCE ON SEXUAL CRIME

The biggest-ever review of sexual crimes in Scotland has resulted in "profound changes" in the way cases are investigated and prosecuted, the Lord Advocate, the Right Honourable Elish Angiolini QC, said today.

Three years after her review called for wide-ranging improvements in the handling of sexual offences, the Lord Advocate confirmed that all 50 recommendations have now been implemented.

Speaking at the Crown Office & Procurator Fiscal Service's Annual Conference on Sexual Crime in Glasgow today, Mrs Angiolini said:

"Rape and other sexual offences are among the most distressing, disturbing crimes in our society, and such cases often present complex legal challenges for prosecutors. We embarked on a root and branch review of the investigation and prosecution of sexual offences, and in 2006, I committed to implementing its recommendations within three years.

"Today I can confirm that all 50 recommendations have been implemented, and I am confident that we have already made profound changes in the way that we investigate and prosecute sexual crimes. But the more we learn about sexual crime, the more we begin to understand the scale of the task. That is why it is so important that the review is seen as a catalyst for further work, including the establishment of our new National Sexual Crimes Unit.

"This dedicated team of specialist Crown Counsel and Procurators Fiscal has now begun directing investigations into serious sexual crime from the earliest stages, using expert knowledge to ensure these prosecutions run as effectively as possible. I am confident that the national unit will play a crucial role as part of our ongoing efforts to improve the investigation and prosecution of sexual crimes across Scotland."

Derek Ogg QC, who leads the team of dedicated Crown Counsel in the National Sexual Crimes Unit, said his team would build on the solid foundation created through the work to implement the Lord Advocate's review.

"The launch of the National Sexual Crimes Unit is the natural evolution of the Lord Advocate's Review of Sexual Offences," he said.

"Having a dedicated team of specialist prosecutors will enable us to make early decisions about the direction of investigations and to make sure that cases are in the best possible shape to be argued in court and result in a successful prosecution.

"We will not shy away from cases simply because they are difficult or challenging. We will always seek to prosecute where the law enables us to do so. Our latest figures show that 32% of cases indicted for rape result in a conviction, and it is important to recognise that people initially accused of rape may ultimately be convicted for other offences.

"Above all, we want people who come forward to report sexual crime to be reassured that all of the facts will be thoroughly investigated and that there is commitment at the highest level in Scotland's prosecution service to delivering justice in these cases."

Ends

Notes to editors:

1. The Review of Sexual Offences was published in 2006, when the Lord Advocate was Solicitor General. Her Review made 50 recommendations designed to improve the investigation and prosecution of sexual of rape and other sexual crimes. All 50 recommendations were to be implemented by the summer of 2009. The report is available on the COPFS website at
/Victims/RevSexOff2

2. The aims of the Review were: to improve the standard of service provided to victims and witnesses of sexual offences; to develop comprehensive guidance for prosecution staff on the investigation and prosecution of sexual offences; and to deliver appropriate training to prosecution staff in the investigation and prosecution of sexual offences.

3. The recommendations included the establishment of an Expert Advisory Group on Sexual Crime and the hosting of an annual seminar to share expertise and best practice with criminal justice partners.

4. The Lord Advocate recently announced that a new National Sexual Crimes Unit will lead the prosecution of the most serious sexual offences, including rape, child sexual abuse, and sexually motivated murder. The National Sexual Crimes Unit is based at the Crown Office in Edinburgh and its team of specialist Crown Counsel is led by Derek Ogg QC.

5. The unit was established on the recommendation of Dorothy Bain QC, the Principal Advocate Depute, who has significant experience in prosecuting sexual offences, including the recent landmark case of HMA v. Strachan, Rennie & Others. Ms Bain recently worked with the COPFS Lothian & Borders Area Sexual Offences Team to provide expert advice at the earliest stages of investigations and she visited other jurisdictions to identify best practice.

Contact: Jennifer Veitch

Communications Manager

Jennifer.Veitch@copfs.gsi.gov.uk

0844 561 3988

Internet:
www.copfs.gov.uk