(203)  Court protection for rape victims

The Sexual Offences (Procedures and Evidence) (Scotland) Act 2002 asp 9 came into force on 1 November 2002.  Under the Act, rape victims cannot be cross-examined by their alleged attackers.  The accused must be represented by lawyers throughout the trial, and only these lawyers may question witnesses.  The reform brings Scots law into line with the rest of the UK in this respect.