There was an increase within the variety of sexual crimes reported on ladies in Forth Valley.
The newest information for 2021/22 from Police Scotland outlines the variety of numerous sexual crimes throughout all of Scotland’s police areas - together with in Forth Valley.
The info reveals that for girls aged over 16, the numbers of crimes in 4 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 enhance is especially accounted for by an increase within the variety of recorded sexual assault crimes, up from 61 in 2020/21 to 99 final yr.
In the meantime, the variety of recorded rapes has fallen in the identical interval from 78 to 72.
Mid Scotland and Fife Tory MSP Alexander Stewart urged ministers to take larger motion to assist these affected by sexual crimes and backed his celebration’s plans for a “sufferer’s legislation”.
Mr Stewart stated: “It's completely stunning that a good larger variety of ladies suffered these appalling assaults over the past yr, than in comparison with the earlier one.
“Each single one in all these circumstances is one too many.
“All too typically ladies are left and not using a voice in our justice system below the SNP and moreover, the nationalists’ angle towards which means that many of those criminals don’t obtain powerful punishment for these appalling crimes.
“That is why I'm backing my celebration’s plans for a Victims Regulation which might go a protracted option to assist ladies not solely in Forth Valley however proper throughout Scotland, as it would give victims the facility to make statements in court docket and scrap the not confirmed verdict, which has typically let down victims in sexual assault circumstances.”
Nevertheless Stirling MSP Evelyn Tweed urged warning over the interpretation of the figures and backed the Scottish Authorities’s efforts to deal with points round sexual crimes.
Ms Tweed stated: “Any enhance in reporting of sexual crimes is regarding, nevertheless a rise in reporting of those crimes doesn't essentially coincide with incidences of sexual crimes rising.
“The explanations for this are extraordinarily advanced and ladies ought to have the boldness to report sexual crimes with out concern.
“Underneath the SNP crime in Scotland is at its lowest stage since 1974 and down 41% since 2006-2007.
“Regardless of constraints on Scotland’s public companies by a decade of Tory austerity, the Scottish Authorities has elevated the policing price range for 22/23 by £40.5m.
“Scotland has the next variety of law enforcement officials than at any time between 1999 and 2007, with the full variety of officers at 17,117 on 31 December 2021. That is 883 increased (5.4 per cent) than the quantity at 31 March 2007.
“The SNP Scottish Authorities can also be investing in assist for victims of sexual crimes. Within the first 100 days, the Scottish Authorities directed £5 million of latest funding to rape disaster centres and home abuse companies to assist minimize ready lists.”