GO Justice

This guide, A Guide for Victim-Survivors of Sexual Crime (2026 Edition), has been developed and published by the Emma Ritch Law Clinic at the University of Glasgow. It represents the first resource of its kind in Scotland and seeks to address a significant gap in accessible and trauma informed information for Victim-survivors involved in High Court sexual offence cases.

The guide is designed to support victim-survivors by providing accessible and sensitive information about each stage of the High Court criminal justice process. It recognises that engaging with this process can be complex and often distressing and aims to reduce uncertainty by setting out what individuals may expect while acknowledging the emotional impact such experiences can carry.

To complement the guide, an additional Charter of Rights (2026 Edition)has been developed in partnership with Rape Crisis Scotland. This document outlines key rights and entitlements, reinforcing a survivor centred approach to participation in the justice process.

Both the guide and the Charter have been developed through a co-productive and trauma informed manner. This has involved engaging closely with individuals who have lived experience of the High Court process, as well as practitioners and support organisations, to ensure that the content is grounded in both expertise and experience. Particular care has been taken to ensure that the language and presentation of the materials promote clarity.

Together, these Public Legal Education resources aim to act as supportive tools for individuals who are navigating what can be an overwhelming and challenging system, often without adequate support or any legal guidance. By improving access to information and enhancing understanding of rights and processes, the project seeks to contribute to a more accessible and informed justice experience for victim-survivors.

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Emma Ritch Law Clinic

Rape Crisis Scotland

Local support services for sexual violence

First published: 21 July 2026