By Sally Hind

Copyright dailyrecord

Rape and abuse survivors have clashed with a convicted mens’ rights group outside the Scottish Parliament. Members of Justice for Innocent Men Scotland (JIMS), who have been slammed for targeting women speaking out on abuse, planned a “silent protest” at Holyrood on Tuesday, campaigning against “unfair trials” in Scotland. But the 100-strong group turned out with a piper and megaphone to be met with chants of “shame on you” from a group representing victims of abuse , led by rape survivor Ellie Wilson. Wilson, 27, was met by jeers from JIMS supporters waving placards as she shouted: “In this group you have men who have been convicted of rape, sexual offences against children, domestic abusers. And they support these beasts. It’s despicable.” One of JIMS’ arguments is that crucial evidence is being ignored by parts of the Criminal Procedure Act, which was designed to protect victims from intrusive questioning. Group spokeswoman Kirsty McDermott, 37, from Motherwell, said it was protesting to send a clear message that the right to a fair trial is a “fundamental human right”. She said: “We gather to raise our voices against an injustice happening right here in Scotand. “We campaign for fair trials, particularly for those facing allegations of sexual assault. “Crucial evidence is being hidden from juries, lives are ruined, families are broken and innocent men are becoming the victims of a system that should protect justice above all else. “Our fight is not with victims, our fight is with the Scottish judiciary and even though that may upset some genuine victims, I can only apologise for that. But it’s certainly not going to derail us from fighting for fairness in our courts.” Ellie Wilson’s ex-partner Daniel McFarlane was sentenced to five years in prison in 2022 for raping her twice while they were both students at Glasgow University. Ellie bravely waived her right to anonymity to fight for change in the justice system and claims JIMS has “trolled” her and other survivors, accusing her of using her experience to “gain fame” and make money. She said: “I felt so anxious and scared to come down here because I knew that I would be met with a group that includes convicted rapists, domestic abusers and people who support them and that’s a scary thing because it’s people who targeted me and said that I’m disgusting, that I’m scum, that I’m a false accuser. So it’s really hard for me to be here but I feel like it’s so important that I am here. “I know that the group has been promoting this event for months and have put a lot of time and preparation into bringing this together but I think, despite their turn out, it’s not reflective of what the people of Scotland believe. “The people of Scotland, I don’t’ think, stand with rapists and paedophiles and actually we stand with survivors.” Eve Graham, whose husband was jailed for two years in June for domestic abuse spanning almost five decades, said she felt “intimidated” by the JIMS protest. The 67-year-old, from Nairn, said: “I feel it’s important for women like myself, who instead of hiding in the shadows can come out and tell their story. “I’m getting bullied online and things like that since (my ex husband) was sent to jail. “I just feel like women are hiding away. They are ashamed and embarrassed and they shouldn’t be. It’s the perpetrators who should be ashamed and embarrassed. “No more hiding in the shadows. Tell your story. Don’t be afraid. Don’t be frightened. “I’ve spent 47 years being frightened. But that’s it, no more. I’m done with hiding.” Kiera Quigley, 27, from Leith, said: “I’m here as an ally, to support women. It takes a lot for women to have the confidence and feel comfortable to come forward about these situations and it’s important that they get to tell their story the way that it happened.” JIMS has denied attacking victims online. Marsha Paszkowska, 40, from Dunfermline, said she was fighting for her fiancé’s release from prison. She said: “I’ve got lived experience unfortunately of how unfair trials in Scotland are when it comes to sexual offence cases. My partner is currently in prison, where he shouldn’t be. He was found guilty by a majority jury at a trial without any evidence apart from the word of an accuser. “We trusted the system, we trusted that the system will protect him since he is innocent and there is no proof to the contrary but no – look where we are. That’s not the case. “My ultimate goal is to get my fiancé home where he should be.” On the counter protest she said: “We’re not asking to release the guilty ones. We’re asking for fair trials in light of the evidence presented so the right decision can be made by the jury.” Lynne Beveridge, 55, Lochgelly, whose son is currently in prison after being convicted of rape, has been accused of branding her son’s victim a “liar” in online posts. The mum denied the claims and said she joined JIMS to give her son “a voice”. She said: “I’m here being my son’s voice. He was silenced when he was in court and wasn’t allowed to put his side of evidence across. “I will come out and fight every day to get the law changed for my son for a fair trial. All I want is for his evidence and his side of the story to be shown in court. “It’s hard that I get up every day and just want to see my son at home where he belongs, enjoying his life. He doesn’t deserve to be where he is.” In July, organisations representing lawyers said Scotland was at risk of breaching the European Convention of Human Rights over how the country’s rape laws are being interpreted in some cases. The warning came in a joint submission by the Faculty of Advocates and the Law Society of Scotland to the Supreme Court in relation to the appeals of two convicted men. Top criminal defence advocate Thomas Leonard Ross KC earlier raised concerns that some men accused of rape and sexual assault were not getting a fair trial because of how courts were understanding rules relating to the admissibility of evidence.