A Scottish woman is demanding justice for being raped by her colleague, as police have failed to pursue the attacker. Jan Cruickshank, age 60, was awarded compensation by the Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority for the assault, but the police did not proceed with the case. SNP MP Seamus Logan has taken up Jan’s case and used parliamentary privilege to reveal new information about how her employer, the Construction Industry Training Board (CITB), handled the situation.
During a debate on legal actions known as SLAPPS – strategic litigation against public participation, Logan disclosed details suggesting that CITB dismissed Jan’s claims after the incident, potentially influencing the police’s handling of the case. A whistleblower from CITB revealed that the legal team had concerns about potential liability in Jan’s case and there was an alleged campaign to discredit her. Another whistleblower confirmed that management aimed to remove Jan from the company even before the HR process was completed.
Jan made a fresh report to the police in March 2022, hoping that her rape case would be reinvestigated following the compensation award. Despite the challenges she has faced, Jan remains determined to fight for justice, stating that the ordeal has impacted her and her family deeply. She expressed gratitude towards Logan for bringing attention to her case and demanded a public apology from CITB.
Although Jan’s former colleague was questioned by the police, no prosecution was pursued for sending an obscene photo to Jan, as deemed not in the public interest by the procurator fiscal. Police Scotland confirmed receiving a complaint about the matter in January 2024. In response, CITB mentioned that they are aware of the parliamentary debate but did not provide further comments due to the sensitive nature of the issue.
In a bid for justice, Jan Cruickshank is bravely speaking out and seeking accountability for the harm she has endured. Her determination to fight for justice despite facing challenges serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of standing up against injustice and seeking accountability. Jan’s courage in sharing her story sheds light on the struggles that survivors of assault often face in seeking justice and highlights the need for better support systems and processes to ensure justice for all victims.