It is not enough for us to be outraged and appalled fairness of the Scottish legal system and there are important difGlasgow on Friday 22 January, and got favourable coverage. and served as a prototype for the gested by might first dispose of one option -that of a private sent secution. resent the steps are being taken for the woman - Carol X - to pursue a private secution against the accused youths and py if she succeeds although very dubious whether the youths could now have a 'fair trial'.
Summary justice has already been dished out to one vouth. who had his ear cut off.
A private prosection costs an enormous amount of money (although I am sure this will be forthcoming sources ) but it will only ficu cannot be used as legal precedent.
Another option, supported by Judith Arkwright in Socialist Challenge 231, for minimum custodial sentence for rapists is very much on the wrong to be such a change in the law, juries would be less likely to convict the KnOWING would definitely go to jail.
And it means 'bargaining' could done, whereby the accused could plead guilty lesser charges say serious assault.
gives the police another lever to dissuade a rape victim from pressing charge. It also centres the discus. sion around the accused rather than concentrating our efforts on the ordeal of reporting rape easier for the woman.
Another suggestion for changing the law is that the woman to give evidence in writing. This is a very delicate situation The only courts which allow evidence just now are the Diplock courts Northern Ireland - and this facility is abused all the time by the police, since no cross examina. COntret only the judge and jury present clearing the court of press and public.
must always however, that the most disturbing factor in vase cases l that only one in four women ever reports her rape to the police and substantially fewer CASe ever come to court.
The Rape Crisis Cen tres have called for changes In the procedures in treating who have been raped. must con. tinue to publicise the way rape victims are treated and try change attitudes towards women who have been raped assaulted.
amount changes in the law will Chande a societv which treats women as cona class citizens and somehow responsible for the violence perpetrated on them by men.
These kinds changes will take far than tinkering with the law.
Glasgow