VIEWS are wanted from members of the public in this region on proposed new guidelines for sentencing rapists.
The Scottish Sentencing Council is seeking input on their draft sentencing guidelines for rape offences.
People from all backgrounds, legal or otherwise, are being urged to contribute to help ensure the guidelines are fit for purpose.
The consultation will run for 12 weeks and is available on the council website.
Chair of the council, the Lord Justice Clerk, Lady Dorrian, said: “All of our guidelines are evidence-based and informed by research and consultation. We have engaged with a wide range of organisations and people, including the judiciary, the legal profession, and interest groups.
“We have now reached perhaps the most significant stage yet in the development of these guidelines – our public consultation. We want our guidelines to be useful to the courts, court users, and to the public in general.
“It is essential that we get the widest possible range of views to help ensure that these guidelines are fit for purpose. I encourage people to take the time to consider and respond to this consultation. We appreciate the effort that goes into providing a response, and each one received will be carefully considered before any decisions are made in finalising the guidelines.”
Sexual offences, including rape, account for a rising proportion of sentencing in Scottish courts.
Each offence is different and the circumstances can vary widely. The council intends that the guidelines will assist judges in making challenging sentencing decisions, but also help those involved in the cases, and the public, to better understand those decisions.
The guidelines set out some of the factors that can be taken into account in sentencing around the culpability (the level of blame) of the offender, and the harm caused to the victim. For example, they make clear that offences involving the use of violence or threats, an abuse of a position of trust, time spent planning an attack, or severe physical or psychological harm, should all be treated more seriously.
The deadline for responding to the consultation is October 18.
