Equally Safe consultation: analysis of responses

7. Other comments

Question 13: Finally, do you have any other comments that have not been captured in the responses to other questions you have provided? 

7.1. A quantitative overview of responses to this question is provided below:

• 34% (18 out of 53) selected ‘yes’
• 44% (23 out of 53) selected ‘no’
• 23% (12 out of 53) did not answer the question

Overview

7.2. Almost two-fifths of the consultation respondents (21 out of 53) provided a final comment. Of these: 

• Fifteen shared additional information with the Scottish Government that they had not provided elsewhere in their response.
• Six reiterated points they had previously made; to avoid duplication these comments are not revisited in this chapter.

New information provided in response to the final question

7.3. Four respondents called for ‘continued leadership across health and justice’ to support the development and implementation of the proposed changes.

7.4. Four described specific evidence for the Scottish Government to review. This covered: 

• Quality standards for paediatric forensic assessments.
• Context for women and children with physical and learning disabilities with regard to gendered experiences of rape and sexual assault, barriers accessing health and justice services, and recommendations to address the issues identified.
• An individual’s research project into the experience of transgender sexual abuse. 

7.5. Three respondents commented on sex. 

• One anticipated the Scottish Government would be criticised for focusing on women and girls and suggested including more evidence about comparative rates of sexual violence experienced by males and females would provide useful context.
• Conversely, another felt that the goal should be to support anyone who has experienced rape or sexual assault, regardless of gender.
• Linked the point above, one respondent noted ‘although paragraph 12 of the consultation highlights the prevalence of sexual offending involving women, it is important to recognise that rape does affect men as well. There is a need for any legislation that is brought forward to be gender neutral in keeping with equality and diversity implications as illustrated by the Sexual Offences (Scotland) Act 2009 (and indeed, the requirements of modern drafting guidance)’.

7.6. A number of singular comments are listed in Appendix 6.

7.7. Finally, eight respondents welcomed the consultation as an opportunity to take part in the legislative development process, with one describing it as: ‘hugely valuable work…will be a major achievement when completed’.