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I will ask the question in a different way. As a committee, what should we be thinking about with regard to what a pilot is seeking to achieve? Again, the judiciary has a range of views on that.

Thank you. I found your written submission fascinating. I had not known that there was quite so much in and around the subject, so it was really interesting to get your perspective. From your very informed and expert perspective, what are your general views on the provisions that are set out in the bill?

We have spoken a lot about social media, and I was interested in your response about how it appears that there are greater restrictions on broadcast media than there are on social media. Many social media platforms sit outwith the UK. How difficult would that make our scrutiny of how social media companies are upholding anonymity for victims?

I will stay with you, Professor Chalmers, before I open up to other members. You referred—I think that I am quoting you correctly—to the challenge of

“unravelling what is going on”,

looking across the wider body of evidence and research work that has been undertaken around rape myths.

In trying to understand the issue, how important is it that we are aware of, and take into account, the purpose of individual pieces of research and the context in which they were developed? I am thinking about avoiding the risk of comparing apples with pears with regard to what happens in one jurisdiction as set against another. How important is it that we are aware of that when we are considering what the evidence is telling us?

I am sure that we will come back to that question. I will open up the floor to members, starting with Katy Clark, who is joining us online.

Yes—I will hand over to Professor Thomas.

Katy, would you like to bring in anyone else on that issue?

Professor Munro, can I just come in? There is a lot of interest in this topic, and I know that members are keen to come in, as is Professor Chalmers. Therefore, I will bring in Professor Chalmers, and then we will move on.

Yes.

We have spoken in great detail today about the jury research and the proposal to pilot juryless trials. I will move on to the proposal to create a sexual offences court. The evidence that we have heard, and the written submissions that we have received, have reflected a range of views about that particular provision.

I am interested in hearing the academic perspective and to know whether Professor Chalmers and Professor Munro support that particular proposal. The committee is trying to visualise what an effective and successful sexual offences court would look like. In your view, what key elements must exist to make that model work effectively and to improve victims’ experiences?

I put that question to Professor Chalmers first.