The number of rapes reported in Dundee has shot up by two-thirds in just three months, according to figures from Police Scotland.
Eighty rapes were recorded by police in the city between October and December up from 54 over the previous three months and from 47 recorded in the same period last year.
Rachel Coleman, volunteer co-ordinator at The Women’s Rape and Sexual Abuse Centre, said the figures showed that more people were coming forward to report sex crimes.
“When you see an increase in sexual assault figures everyone thinks the crimes are on the rise, which isn’t always the case as historically we have seen a huge amount of under-reporting,” she said.
“These figures could show an increase in confidence that the police can help, which is a great thing, while people are now far more aware that victims are being believed.”
There were a total of 148 sexual assaults reported in Dundee in the three-month period.
Ms Coleman believes there should be more education for young people about consent and violence.
She said: “We already work to inform young people but there is still work to be done.
“We do live in a blame culture where blame is put on women rather than where it should be on the perpetrator.
“Some people believe the woman has asked for it because of how she was dressed or if she was drunk. The reality is that no one deserves to be attacked.
“It has a huge impact on an individual’s confidence and mental health we work with women who have depression, post-traumatic stress and flashbacks.
Across the city, crimes of violence rose by 17.7%, with a 13.4% spike in serious assaults 76 were recorded.
However, crimes connected to offensive and bladed weapons were down by 11.6% on the same time last year and detection rates went up by nearly 6%.
Housebreakings were also down from 419 to 343 and the number of driving offences recorded almost halved to 2,503.
Reports of domestic abuse incidents, however, shot up by 6.7%, from 1,740 to 1,856.