AHEAD of May’s Holyrood elections, Rape Crisis Scotland set out a list of demands yesterday, including that the government ends Scotland’s “not proven” verdict. 

The group said that the measures laid out in its Holyrood Asks document would bring real and lasting improvements for survivors of sexual violence in Scotland.

They said a key difference that could be made would be to remove the option of a “not proven” verdict in Scottish courts, which could be seen as an “easy way out” for jurors. 

The group would also like to see the legal right to anonymity for those accusing others of sex crimes be enshrined in law, as well as investment in rape prevention and specialist support services. 

Candidates have also been asked to back a call to protect every woman’s rights to safety, accommodation and support — no matter their immigration status.