The Sexual Offences (Scotland) Bill has been passed in Parliament, codifying much of the common law relating to sex crimes.

The act provides a statutory definition of consent, as "free agreement", replaces the common-law offence of rape with a statutory offence which includes male rape, and introduces specific offences of sexual assault by penetration and of voyeurism.

The act is intended to raise Scotland's rape conviction rate, which is currently 3.7%.

"We are working with a range of agencies to continue to improve the justice system's response to such crimes - from investigating allegations to supporting victims and dealing with offenders," said Justice Minister Kenny MacAskill.

"We have also supported Rape Crisis Scotland, to challenge a significant minority who are still too willing to blame victims rather than perpetrators. Ensuring that the law is clear, robust and reflective of the values of modern society is a key element of - indeed a foundation for - this on-going work.

"The Bill builds on and consolidates recent advances in the law and, in particular, provides for the first time in Scots law, a statutory definition of consent - as "free agreement" - making clear to lawyers and members of the public alike what is lawful and what is not.
"For the first time our maturing Scottish Parliament has acted to codify an entire area of Scots common law, placing sex offences on the statute book.

"The primacy of Parliament in determining the law of the land is one of the hallmarks of democracy and I regard this Bill as a landmark worthy to mark the 10th anniversary of devolution."