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PE2064: Ensure that under 16s charged with rape are treated as adults in the criminal justice system

Petition Summary

Calling on the Scottish Parliament to urge the Scottish Government to ensure that under 16s charged with rape are treated as adults in the criminal justice system.

Petitioner: Julie Mitchell

Status: Closed

Date published: 09 November 2023

Click here for the full petition

SPICe Briefing (121KB, pdf) posted 13 February 2024

Committee Meetings

06 March 2024: The Committee agreed to write to the Lord Advocate and to make reference to the issues raised in the petition as part of its letter to the Minister for Community Safety on petition PE1947.

Official Report of Meeting 06 March 2024

11 December 2024: The Committee agreed to write to the Lord Advocate. The Committee also agreed to invite the Cabinet Secretary for Justice and Home Affairs, the Minister for Victims and Community Safety, and the Lord Advocate to give evidence a future meeting.

Official Report of Meeting 11 December 2024

25 June 2025: The Committee took evidence from—

The Right Hon Dorothy Bain KC, Lord Advocate
Alistair Hogg, Head of Practice and Policy for the Scottish Children's Reporter Administration
Stephanie Ross, Principal Procurator Fiscal Depute in the Policy Unit the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service

and then from—

Angela Constance, Cabinet Secretary for Justice and Home Affairs supported by Clare Collin, Violence Reduction Team Leader and Tom McNamara, Head of Youth Justice & Children’s Hearings.

Official Report of Meeting 25 June 2025

10 September 2025: The Committee agreed to close the petition under Rule 15.7 of Standing Orders. In closing the petition, the Committee agreed to write to the Cabinet Secretary for Justice and Home Affairs.

Official Report of Meeting 10 September 2025

Letter from Convener to the Cabinet Secretary for Justice and Home Affairs, 4 February 2026

Letter from the Cabinet Secretary for Justice and Home Affairs to Convener, 26 February 2026