The public petitions system has now closed ahead of the Scottish Parliament elections on 7 May 2026. It is not possible to submit a new petition to the Scottish Parliament or sign a petition until after the election.
The petitions system will reopen at the start of the new parliamentary session.
For more information about the petitions process, please contact the committee team at petitions.committee@parliament.scot.
For more information about the election campaign period and the dissolution of the current parliament, please visit the Scottish Parliament’s Election 2026 webpage: https://www.parliament.scot/msps/elections/election-2026
Closed petition PE2064: Ensure that under 16s charged with rape are treated as adults in the criminal justice system
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.
Previous action taken
I've reached out to the Scottish Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service and the Lord Advocate.
I've bombarded the Ministry of Defence for 3 years.
Background information
Under 16s charged with rape or sexual assault are protected and treated as children. Where are the human rights of child victims? Rape is an adult crime and should be treated as such. I believe that such individuals should be added to the sex offenders register.
This petition was considered by the Scottish Parliament
437 signatures