Cases of rape and attempted rape in Scotland rose by almost 50 percent in March compared to the same month last year, official data shows.

According to statistics published on the Scottish government’s website, 225 cases of rape and attempted rape were recorded in March 2021, compared to last year’s 152.

Other accessible monthly crime figures indicate that the number has decreased or stayed constant for most of last year.

Police in Scotland said that the increase in reports of sexual crime might be related to the easing of a COVID-19 lockdown.

“Reporting of sexual crime, both recent and non-recent, has varied throughout the pandemic, with significant falls in reports during periods of lockdown and rises when restrictions were eased,” Detective Fil Capaldi, the head of Police Scotland’s Sexual Crimes Unit, said.

“Police Scotland remains committed to working closely with partners, especially support and advocacy services, to encourage anyone to report these kind of crimes,” Capaldi added.

Meanwhile, according to recent government statistics, Black Britons and people of mixed ethnicity are more likely to be sexually assaulted compared to others in the UK.

Earlier this month, at a teachers’ union conference, horrific tales of sexual harassment and violence against teachers perpetrated by misbehaving students were shared from across the UK’s school network.