There has been a rise in the number of sexual crimes reported on women in Forth Valley.
The latest data for 2021/22 from Police Scotland outlines the number of various sexual crimes across all of Scotland’s police regions - including in Forth Valley.
The data reveals that for women aged over 16, the numbers of crimes in four key offences - rape, assault by rape, sexual assault by penetration and sexual assault - have risen by 36 from 169 in 2020/21 to 205 in 2021/22.
This increase is mainly accounted for by a rise in the number of recorded sexual assault crimes, up from 61 in 2020/21 to 99 last year.
Meanwhile, the number of recorded rapes has fallen in the same period from 78 to 72.
Mid Scotland and Fife Tory MSP Alexander Stewart urged ministers to take greater action to help those affected by sexual crimes and backed his party’s plans for a “victim’s law”.
Mr Stewart said: “It is absolutely shocking that an even greater number of women suffered these appalling attacks over the last year, than compared to the previous one.
“Every single one of these cases is one too many.
“All too often women are left without a voice in our justice system under the SNP and furthermore, the nationalists’ attitude toward this means that many of these criminals don’t receive tough punishment for these appalling crimes.
“This is why I am backing my party’s plans for a Victims Law which would go a long way to support women not only in Forth Valley but right across Scotland, as it will give victims the power to make statements in court and scrap the not proven verdict, which has often let down victims in sexual assault cases.”
However Stirling MSP Evelyn Tweed urged caution over the interpretation of the figures and backed the Scottish Government’s efforts to tackle issues around sexual crimes.
Ms Tweed said: “Any increase in reporting of sexual crimes is concerning, however an increase in reporting of these crimes does not necessarily coincide with incidences of sexual crimes increasing.
“The reasons for this are extremely complex and women should have the confidence to report sexual crimes without fear.
“Under the SNP crime in Scotland is at its lowest level since 1974 and down 41% since 2006-2007.
“Despite constraints on Scotland’s public services through a decade of Tory austerity, the Scottish Government has increased the policing budget for 22/23 by £40.5m.
“Scotland has a higher number of police officers than at any time between 1999 and 2007, with the total number of officers at 17,117 on 31 December 2021. This is 883 higher (5.4 per cent) than the number at 31 March 2007.
“The SNP Scottish Government is also investing in support for victims of sexual crimes. In the first 100 days, the Scottish Government directed £5 million of new funding to rape crisis centres and domestic abuse services to help cut waiting lists.”
