'It shouldn't be the norm': Women speak out as sexual crimes hit record levels

Sexual crimes in Scotland are at their highest level since 1971.

Reporting of rape, attempted rape, and other sexual assaults are just some of the crimes hitting record numbers.

Police Scotland says they’re dealing with around 200 cases of violence towards women and girls every day.

While the figures relate to reported crimes, many women say sexism, harassment and intimidation have become part of everyday life.

Dawn Dickson runs The Female Taxi, a business she began a year ago.

It started in Stirling as a way to help keep female passengers safe, but she’s noticed a change in her own safety.

“I’ve had instances where I’ve felt quite intimidated,” she told STV News.

She says the threat isn’t from men in the backseat – it’s often been from other drivers.

“When you’re approached at your window by three different men, it feels like bullying or harassment. Things like telling me how to work the rank or stuff like that.

“Possibly, it’ll be the case where I’m looking at getting a body camera just because of other drivers.”

‘It’s becoming the norm’

Dawn runs a women-only taxi service in Stirling STV News

Some 3,229 rapes and attempted rapes were reported to police in the last year, the highest level in 55 years, with around 95% of the victims being female.

Official figures also show 5,222 people reported being sexually assaulted, with women accounting for 87% of victims.

Dawn says many of her passengers have experienced sexism and inappropriate behaviour.

“The majority of females will have been inappropriately questioned at some point by a male taxi driver.

“Whether it’s, ‘who is waiting at home for you? ‘How many people are at your home? ‘Have you had any kisses tonight?’ ‘Do you have a partner, a boyfriend?’

“Most females will go on their phone throughout their journey, kid on they’re on their phone.’

“Anybody, male or female, getting in a taxi should feel safe. Is it getting safer to walk the street? Sometimes I actually wonder, yeah, is it?

“Females are laughing it off because it’s become the norm. This should never be the norm; it should never come into question.”

Young women living in the town are also living on edge.

‘You’re looking over your shoulder’

Molly, Cora and Ellie shared their experiences with STV News STV News

Molly Shields, Cora Ditta and Ellie Hammond are all in their early 20s and have all experienced sexual assault.

They’ve told STV News they’re concerned about the rising level of violence towards women and girls.

Molly Shields, a second-year student at Stirling University, says she feels less safe than she did a few years ago.

”I’ve noticed it’s gotten a lot worse. It makes you worried. You’re turning over your shoulder and thinking, have they got a motive for the end of the night?

“It’s been really minor stuff and makes you uncomfortable. Men come up and just grab you. These are much older men, their hands are all over you when you’re trying to have a quiet night with your friend in a pub, not even a club.”

Cora Ditta, a fourth-year student, said: “Your body and the way you react to things. I’m naturally on a defence, naturally looking around my shoulder on a late night, but even during the daytime now.

“When I walk to the university, I’m keeping an eye on my surroundings. When I tell my parents, and I walk home alone at night, my dad’s like, ‘ At night alone?’ I’m 22 – that shouldn’t be a concern, but it is.”

Student president Ellie Hammond STV News

Ellie Hammond is the Student President at the University of Stirling. Ellie was behind the revival of the women’s march, Reclaim the Night.

“It’s terrifying to see violence against women and girls is making its way into everyday life,” she told STV News.

“It was a bit disheartening to see the number of people who felt the impact of violence and felt how important it was to have an event like Reclaim the Night in Stirling.”

She added that she’s noticed young men have changing attitudes towards young women and girls.

“It’s scary to see the entitlement that some of these boys feel, or they truly believe it’s not just a joke to them, but it’s a right. It’s a ‘boys will be boys’ but it’s entitlement.”

Police Scotland says it’s a “societal issue” that needs a multi-agency approach.

Those supporting women through the trauma of an attack are seeing a rising demand for help.

Glasgow & Clyde Rape Crisis director Claudia Macdonald-Bruce said: “We are really worried the services we have can’t keep up with the pace of demand for our support.

“What you could have is a situation where we can’t meet the demand, and women and girls are having to navigate very traumatic, complex systems on their own.”