Rise in sex crimes in Scotland

[ArabellaScott]

Latest figures out from Scotgov show a 5% rise in sex crimes in the last year.

https://www.gov.scot/publications/recorded-crime-scotland-year-ending-june-2025/

Figures should be seen in context of factors such as law changes, reporting changes, and historical reporting, but the rise seems worryingly steady.

https://www.gov.scot/publications/recorded-crime-scotland-2024-25/pages/sexual-crimes/

'Between 2023-24 and 2024-25, the number of Sexual crimes recorded by the police in Scotland increased by 3% from 14,484 to 14,892. In the last 10 years, the number of Sexual crimes has increased by 45% from 10,273 in 2015-16 to 14,892 in 2024-25.
Figure 9. Sexual crime has increased significantly since 2010-11 and is at the second highest level since 1971.'

https://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/news/politics/sexual-crime-scotland-rises-number-35793013

'Sexual crimes have soared by 5% in a year after the number of rapes and attempted rapes soared.
The total figure is also 9% higher compared to 2021.
...
In the year ending June 2025, police in Scotland recorded 303,343 crimes - 1% higher than last year.
But sexual crimes rose over the same period from 14,417 to 15,129 - a 5% hike.
Within this figure, instances of rape and attempted rape increased by 15% - from 2,609 to 3,004 crimes - and by 21% compared to 2021.
Sexual assault increased by 3% compared to the previous year and by 11% in the last four years.

Cases involving indecent photos of children increased by 27% compared to the previous year, from 707 to 898 crimes, and by 32% from 2021.
Crimes associated with prostitution increased by 70% compared to the previous year and by 86% compared to June 2021.'

Not sure when the penny is going to drop with the powers that be. Allowing websites like pornhub to circulate amongst young adults and teens has obviously created this perfect storm. I know they've made an effort with age verification, but it doesn't go far enough.
It's just like betting shops and companies. They don't serve any meaningful or positive purpose for society as a whole, so ban them. Other countries manage it.

Completely agree.

I dont know that it is necessarily that simple, and I'd not say it was obvious at all!

There may well be various factors affecting it. Be good to see some serious research on this, and an attempt to actually address the issues.

Unfortunately I've little faith in the Scotgov's capabilities.

I'm not saying it's the only thing. The sentences and attitudes from.judges leaves a lot to be desired as well, some get off with a slap on the wrist. But I'm not saying just what my opinion is
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/the-relationship-between-pornography-use-and-harmful-sexual-behaviours/the-relationship-between-pornography-use-and-harmful-sexual-attitudes-and-behaviours-literature-review#:~:text=these%20specific%20acts.-,Acceptance%20of%20sexual%20aggression%20towards%20women,higher%20for%20sexually%20violent%20pornography.

Thanks. The review is careful to talk about how the issue is complex, and that correlation isn't causation. I feel that it runs deeper and would take more than banning/restricting porn to fix this issue. May be a place to start with, especially with violent porn, though.