A review will be held into how courts conduct sexual offence cases in the hopes of making the process less traumatic for victims.

The review group, chaired by Lady Dorrian, the lord justice clerk, includes members of the judiciary and representatives of the Scottish Courts and Tribunals Service, Police Scotland, Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service.

Charities including Rape Crisis Scotland, Scottish Women's Aid and Victim Support Scotland will also take part in the review.

The group will consider what distinguishes sexual assault cases from other criminal cases and how court process and the experiences of complainers and witnesses can be improved without compromising the rights of an accused.

The review will include potential changes to court and judicial structures, procedure and practices.

Lady Dorrian said: "This is an opportunity for all the organisations involved in this review group to consider an overview of sexual offences prosecuted in our courts and recommend an improved approach for all participants.

"Our work will begin in April and we expect to be in a position to report in early 2020."

'Lindsay', a woman who went through the trial process after being raped on multiple occasions, said the experience was "horrendous".

She told STV: "The rapes took place after a relationship, so were viewed as domestic incidents.

"It was a horrendous fight to get to trial and the communication was often poor.

"As the victim, your only real status is that a witness and I often felt that I had no real understanding of timings, expected review dates, opportunity to discuss matters.

"I went for four years without knowing whether they had forensic evidence as evidence cannot be discussed with witnesses - that is traumatic.

"You are also acutely aware that every statement, text message, email, action, medical examination has been viewed, considered and critiqued by strangers who now know parts of your life more intimately than your closest family and friends. It is a hugely invasive process."

Lindsay said she was never told what the full charges were, even those relating solely to her.

"The lack of certainty and information plays on your mind every day," she said.

"The lack of input and status in the judicial process, diminished my sense of control in my life for those four years.

"I felt that was effectively on par to a witness for a shoplifting or road traffic incident, rather than somebody that had experienced one of the worst possible violations and crimes, and someone who had ultimately been raped, assaulted and threatened with further physical violence and violence with a knife."