Labour calls for change to rape laws

I support Labour's announcement today of support for a change in Scots Law designed to increase the very low rate of rape cases that reach the courtrooms. A Labour-led Scottish Government would support removing the requirement for corroboration in prosecutions involving charges of rape. Obviously this is a major change and changes something which is fundamental to Scottish law. But this issue needs to be looked at very seriously. Convicting those who are guilty must be a priority, if the law makes this too difficult then that is an injustice. Last year 884 cases of rape were reported to the police but just 41 of these cases led to convictions.