The Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service's Review of the investigation and prosecution of sexual offences highlighted prevailing attitudes towards survivors of rape held by a significant minority of the public which blame women for their victimisation. They blame the victim if she behaved in a 'flirtatious' manner, if she was drunk, if she was wearing 'sexy or revealing' clothing or if she has had many sexual partners.
Such beliefs represent a significant misunderstanding of the law as regards the necessity for express consent to sexual activity. However, as juries in rape and sexual offence trials are made up of ordinary members of the public, such widely held attitudes may also act as an additional barrier to securing convictions in rape cases.
The Scottish Government has therefore provided Rape Crisis Scotland with funding of nearly £200,000 to undertake an information campaign designed to help change public attitudes to rape.
The campaign, ' This is not an invitation to rape me' was launched in October 2008 and challenges myths around who's to blame for rape - including that a woman is responsible if she's dressed in a certain way, if she has been drinking and that women can't be raped by someone they know.
The campaign has been developed by Rape Crisis Scotland following research, focus groups, an online survey and consultations with stakeholders.
Further information on the Scottish Government's broader work to support victims of crime has been produced.