Crown Office signs memorandum of understanding with Rape Crisis Scotland

Scotland’s prosecution service has signed a memorandum of understanding with Rape Crisis Scotland (RCS) to obtain feedback from complainers and victims of sexual crime about their experience of the justice system.

Under the new agreement RCS will share anonymous feedback on complainers and victims’ experiences of the criminal justice system and their views on the service provided by COPFS.

This information, only provided with the complainer or victim’s consent, will be used to identify ways COPFS can improve the service provided to victims of sexual crime.

The feedback will cover, among other things, the way the process was explained, how information was shared and where relevant the person’s experience in court. Complainers and victims will also be asked if anything could have been done better by COPFS.

Lord Advocate James Wolffe QC and Sandy Brindley from Rape Crisis Scotland will sign the memorandum of understanding today at Edinburgh Rape Crisis Centre.

The Lord Advocate said: “This Memorandum of Understanding reflects the service’s commitment to victims. The service already works closely with Rape Crisis Scotland and this Memorandum of Understanding strengthens that relationship.

“The feedback process which we have agreed will provide a mechanism to ensure that the voice of the victim is heard, and will help to shape the work of the service in relation to victims.

“We cannot bring the perpetrators of sexual crime to justice unless victims come forward and speak up. That is why we value the work of Rape Crisis Scotland and other organisations which provide support to victims.

“That is why we have revised our own Victim Strategy and want to continue to improve the service which we provide. These arrangements for obtaining feedback from victims on a more systematic basis will help us to do that.”