Scots rape survivors who feel let down by the justice system have urged a slew of changes from Scots cops.
Rape Crisis Scotland has published a new report based on victim experiences with police at the time of their ordeals.
The tell-all report revealed that some survivors felt scared they would not be taken seriously, received 'unhelpful comments' and 'aggressive questioning' by officers and that evidence was not examined sufficiently.
Concerns were also raised about giving of statements- with one survivor reporting she had to supply seven different statements and another saying the police continually brought up the standing of the person that was accused.
The charity has recommended specialist trauma training for cops, 'urgent work to address widely held problematic attitudes around sexual violence across Police Scotland' and clear guidance being given to survivors on how evidence is gathered.
Further recommendations include more use of video statements, 'a consistent, named single point of contact for all survivors reporting any form of sexual violence throughout Scotland' and 'Police Scotland to commit to show leadership in providing a clear, consistent, compassionate response to all survivors of sexual violence'.
Some of the survivors have met Police Scotland's chief constable Iain Livingston to put forward their points.
The Chief Constable thanked the group for sharing their views and experiences.
Some of the survivors have now spoken out as they welcomed the publication of the report.
Samantha, a survivor, said: "The police response matters as it shows that someone is standing up for us when we do not have a voice in that moment to do it ourselves.
"It's knowing that they have our back and will treat us with respect and compassion; a good response can help survivors to gain back trust lost by previous involvement within the system.
"How we are treated in those first moments, at the most vulnerable time of our lives, is something that we never forget."
Cerys, another survivor, said: "Having an open conversation with the Chief Constable is a start.
"I don’t want to glorify it - there is a mountain of work to be done before we, as a society, can pat ourselves on the back and truly feel we are making progress in managing men’s violence against women.
"It doesn’t undo the abysmal prosecution rates of reporting, it doesn’t excuse the lack of support for women going through the system we call ‘justice’, it can’t rectify the innumerable women that have already been failed.
"But it is an important step on the path to change and it is a relief to feel that, perhaps, our screams are no longer falling on ears unwilling to listen. “
The report contains some mixed statements from survivors about their experiences dealing with the police after their ordeals.
One woman said: "‘I was told “you weren’t raped, it was consensual” by the DI who made the decision to drop the case.
"Any further interaction I had with them kind of questioning the decision, it has been quite aggressive from them.’
But another praised the police for their response.
She said: "The officers that have dealt with me throughout up there, they have been really amazing
"The first time that I had any contact at all, a female officer phoned me and said, “I’ve watched your video evidence, I just wanted to say that was brave”. And I just remembered being like “Whoa that’s amazing. I was expecting you to say that’s a load of rubbish, we don’t believe you, and we are dropping the case."
The report reads said many had felt 'let down' by their experiences with the justice system.
It adds: "Several survivors voiced concerns that all available evidence was not gathered/looked into sufficiently – including one survivor whose perpetrator was not even questioned.
"In instances where survivor’s homes had to be searched, multiple survivors reported this as being very difficult.
"They were not informed what was being taken and why, at what point they could return to their homes and when their belongings would be brought back to them."
"In one instance a survivor was required to give 7 statements, the final one lasting for 8 hours without a break.
"In giving their statements many survivors would have valued the opportunity to have someone sitting with them, even if in silence. "Some survivors described feeling still drunk or hungover, or in a state of considerable distress at the time of giving the statement without being given adequate breaks and time to rest.
"To then have to recall and rely on a statement produced in these circumstances – often years later in court – is extremely challenging, particularly when in many cases survivors only have access to their statement the morning of the case reaching court."
Sandy Brindley, Chief Executive of Rape Crisis Scotland said: “We’re immensely proud to have worked with the Survivor Reference Group (SRG) on this report and to endorse these recommendations.
"The stories contained in this report echo what we have seen and heard through Rape Crisis support and advocacy services across Scotland for many years; it’s clear that something has to change.
"In sharing their experiences, members of the SRG act as a driving force for change, pushing decision makers to be bolder and take the action we know is necessary to ensure that survivors in Scotland get the responses that they deserve.”
Police Scotland has been contacted for comment.
