Scottish Green MSP Q Manivannan has apologized for remarks made in a podcast interview that have drawn criticism from rape survivor groups and political opponents. The comments were perceived by some as downplaying the seriousness and lasting trauma of rape.
In an open letter, the Scottish Care Residential Association (SCRA), an alliance of support groups, stated that the impacts of rape can last a lifetime and that the crime should not be reduced to a theoretical debate. The SCRA emphasized that they are "naming" rape rather than "demonizing" it and strongly opposed the notion of rape existing on a "spectrum," asserting that "there is no hierarchy of rape" and no survivor should feel their experience must be deemed serious enough.
The letter urged politicians "not to normalise" rape or sexual violence and "not create hierarchies of harm."
Reem Alsalem, the United Nations Special Rapporteur on Violence against Women and Girls, also commented on the matter, posting on X that rape should never be discussed in terms of a spectrum, without naming Manivannan directly.
Scotland's Children's Minister Siobhan Brown told the BBC's Sunday Show that Manivannan's words were "misjudged." Political parties including Scottish Labour and the Scottish Liberal Democrats have also voiced criticism. The Scottish Conservatives called on the Scottish Greens to suspend the MSP, with equalities spokeswoman Meghan Gallacher stating, "It is deeply alarming that anyone, but especially an elected representative, would ever seek to minimise the seriousness of rape and suggest that there is a spectrum of offences."