South Ayrshire Multi Agency Partnership
Information For Women
What We Know
What Happened to Women's Human Rights?
"7 out of 10 women giving evidence in rape trials in Scotland will be asked
about their sexual history or character."
Q. When is a woman most likely to be asked when she lost her virginity and how many
sexual partners she's had?
- a) When she's applying for a job
- b) When she's approached by a market researcher while out shopping
- c) In front of a courtroom of strangers when she's giving evidence about being raped
Answer: (c) The most personal details of a women's life are routinely scrutinised
in the course of a rape trial. The accused is never obliged to take the stand. Who
is really on trial?
Q. When is a woman most likely to be asked if her children have the same father?
- a) When she's enrolling them at a new school
- b) When she's filling out an insurance claim
- c) In front of a courtroom of strangers when she's giving evidence about being raped
Answer: (c) Attempts to smear the characters of women seeking justice for rape are
commonplace. Women can face questions on anything from the use of sex toys to the
age they started drinking. Who is really on trial?
Q. When is a woman likely to be asked what sexual position she tried with her last
boyfriend?
- a) During a consultation with her GP
- b) When filling out forms for the next census
- c) In front of a courtroom of strangers when she's giving evidence about being raped.
Answer: (c ) Most women seeking justice for rape are forced to endure humiliating
and irrelevant questions about their sexual history in court. Who is really on trial?
Two in every five women have been raped or sexually assaulted.
(Women's Support Project, 1989)
Less than one in 20 rapes reported to the police in Scotland results in a successful
conviction.
(Scottish Executive, 2007)