Petition · PE01436 · Session 4
Abolition of the requirement for corroboration
Signatures
1
Comments
0
Considered
4 meetings
What it asks
Calling on the Scottish Parliament to urge the Scottish Government to pass new Criminal Justice System legislation which allows for the retrospective abolition of the corroboration requirement thus ensuring full access to justice for victims of crime.
What the petitioner did first
My personal experience of being a victim in a case which failed to proceed owing to the requirement for corroboration made me aware of the full impact which this rule has on victims of crime.
I am not alone. I have researched the impact which the requirement for corroboration has had on other victims and I am dismayed by some of my findings. For example, just 92 out of 882 reported rape cases were prosecuted against in 2009 / 2010. This means that 90% of those accused of rape were never held to account. It is therefore possible that those who are indeed guilty have gone on to rape more victims.
Prior to submitting this petition, I have sought to challenge the corroboration requirement and have spoken to / corresponded with key staff within the offices of the:
• Procurator Fiscal
• Crown Office
• Solicitor General
• Lord Advocate
• Minister for Justice
From the responses / information I have received, it is clear that the only effective challenge to this requirement is to petition for its abolition.
I have made it known that I will both initiate such a petition and that I will then support it via launching a public campaign (details of which may be found at www.abolishcorroborationnow.com).
I am not alone. I have researched the impact which the requirement for corroboration has had on other victims and I am dismayed by some of my findings. For example, just 92 out of 882 reported rape cases were prosecuted against in 2009 / 2010. This means that 90% of those accused of rape were never held to account. It is therefore possible that those who are indeed guilty have gone on to rape more victims.
Prior to submitting this petition, I have sought to challenge the corroboration requirement and have spoken to / corresponded with key staff within the offices of the:
• Procurator Fiscal
• Crown Office
• Solicitor General
• Lord Advocate
• Minister for Justice
From the responses / information I have received, it is clear that the only effective challenge to this requirement is to petition for its abolition.
I have made it known that I will both initiate such a petition and that I will then support it via launching a public campaign (details of which may be found at www.abolishcorroborationnow.com).
Where it was considered
Official Report-
4 Sep 20121 mention
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25 Sep 20121 mention
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24 Sep 20131 mention
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18 Feb 20141 mention
Signatures by country
No online signatures are recorded for this petition; the total above may include paper signatures.
Comments
No public comments.