The push for reform comes as Lord Advocate Dorothy Bain, Scotland’s top law officer, makes clear her desire to improve the justice system for victims of sexual offences.
Most rape cases reported to police do not lead to prosecutions. Of those that do the conviction rate is significantly lower than for other offences.
For example, in 2022-23, a total of 2,529 rapes and attempted rapes were recorded by Police Scotland. That same year, 372 rape and attempted rape cases reached the courts. The conviction rate was 48%, compared to more than 80% for all crimes.
Last year, after the lord advocate asked judges to consider the issue, they voted to overturn an 87-year-old rule on corroboration in rape and sexual abuse cases.
Judges ruled that distress shown by a complainer at the time of an attack could be used as evidence, making it more likely for cases to reach the required legal threshold to go to court.
One year on, the Scottish legal system could be set for an even bigger shake up.