Rape and attempted rape convictions more than double in a year, figures show

Convictions for rape and attempted rape in Scotland more than doubled in the space of a year – with figures also showing longer jail sentences being imposed on those found guilty.

There were 160 convictions of rape and attempted rape in the courts in 2021-22, the latest statistics show, which was up 105 from 78 the previous year

The figures also show the number of such cases taken to court increased by 123% over the same period, going from 151 to 336.

The rise was recorded as courts across Scotland saw an increase in business as Covid restrictions eased in 2021-22.

The figures, published by the Scottish Government, show longer custodial sentences are being imposed in rape and attempted rape cases.

In 2021-22, the average prison sentence handed down in such cases was 2,572 days – just over seven years – which was up 6% from 2,435 days in 2020-21.

Overall the figures show an increase in court business when comparing the two years, with cases proceeding against 67,643 people in 2021-22 – a rise of 45% from 46,590 the previous year.

Convictions increased by 39% over the same period, from 42,614 to 59,295.

With the increase in convictions smaller than the rise in cases, the conviction rate decreased slightly, going from 91% in 2020-21 to 88% in 2021-22.

This was said to mark a return to pre-pandemic levels, with conviction rates ranging between 86% and 88% between 2012-13 and 2019-20.

Convictions for non-sexual crimes of violence increased by 37%, going from 6,608 in 2020-21 to 9,068 the following year.

This included a 100% increase in people found guilty of either murder or culpable homicide, rising from 24 to 48.

For cases of serious assault and attempted murder there was a 45% increase from 682 to 992, the data shows.

There was also a 52% increase in convictions for sexual crimes, rising from 841 to 1,279.