"The Scottish verdict of not proven a global legal anomaly thought to be a key factor in the country's significantly lower convictions rate for rape and sexual assault has been abolished. MSPs agreed to scrap the unique Scottish verdict as they voted through a series of major reforms that Angela Constance, the justice secretary, said put victims and witnesses at the heart of a modern and fair justice system."
"In 2022-23, the not proven verdict made up 61% of rape and attempted rape acquittals, compared to an overall rate of 22% for all criminal offences. She added: To know that another rape victim isn't going to experience what I had to go through after my criminal trial ended is the very reason I've invested so much time and energy into this campaign."
Scotland has abolished the not proven verdict, a historic third jury option that acquitted without a finding of not guilty. The verdict had been linked to the country's significantly lower conviction rates for rape and sexual assault, comprising 61% of rape and attempted rape acquittals in 2022-23 versus 22% across all offences. MSPs passed the victims, witnesses and justice reform bill by 71 votes to 46 after debating more than 160 amendments. Reforms include a required two-thirds jury majority for conviction, a specialist sexual offences court, and statutory lifelong anonymity for rape complainers. Campaigner Miss M said the change restores survivors' voices.
Read at www.theguardian.com
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