Scottish Green Party MSP Q Manivannan has apologised for comments made in a podcast before their election, in which they discussed the "demonisation" of rape and called it a "spectrum of things". The apology came after the Scottish Rape Crisis Alliance (SRCA) said there is "no hierarchy of rape" and warned against minimising sexual violence.
Podcast Comments Spark Criticism
The comments were recorded last year for The Subjective Space podcast, hosted by Sindhu Rajasekaran. They resurfaced online at the weekend, prompting widespread criticism from survivor groups and political opponents.
During the interview, which focused on care and carers in society, Rajasekaran raised the topic of rehabilitating criminals and said she could have no empathy for rapists. Manivannan, who identifies as non-binary and uses they/them pronouns, responded by saying there was a "myth of the monster rapist" and a "demonisation of rape in the sense of it is a spectrum".
Manivannan continued: "It is a spectrum, none of which is any less or worse, but it is a spectrum of things that constitute one homogenised word 'rape'." They also argued that "any individual is capable of rape, including yourself and me", describing that thought as "scary".
Rape Crisis Alliance Responds
The SRCA, which represents rape crisis centres in Glasgow, Lanarkshire, Ayrshire and the Western Isles, issued an open letter opposing the remarks. The alliance said the impacts of rape can last a lifetime and should not be reduced to a theoretical debate.
"We are not demonising rape. We are naming it," the letter stated. The SRCA emphasised that there is no hierarchy of rape and urged the MSP to recognise the severity of all sexual violence.
MSP's Apology and Defence
In a statement, Manivannan said clips from the podcast had been "selectively edited" but expressed regret for the upset caused. They insisted they would never seek to diminish a rape survivor's experience.
"I am sorry for the hurt my words have caused," Manivannan said. "I fully recognise that rape is a serious crime with lasting trauma for survivors. My intention was to discuss societal perceptions, not to minimise any individual's experience."
Political Reactions
The comments drew criticism from across the political spectrum. Opposition parties called for clarity on whether Manivannan's views reflected those of the Scottish Green Party. A spokesperson for the Scottish Greens said the party takes sexual violence seriously and would review the matter internally.
Manivannan was elected to the Scottish Parliament in May's election as a Green MSP for the Edinburgh area. They previously worked as a writer and academic.
Context and Analysis
The controversy highlights ongoing debates in Scotland about how public figures discuss sexual violence. Survivor advocacy groups have consistently stressed that language matters and can shape public understanding of rape.
Legal experts note that Scottish law defines rape in specific terms, and any suggestion of a "spectrum" could be seen as undermining that clarity. However, some commentators have pointed out that academic discussions about the social construction of crime labels are not new.
The SRCA's open letter was supported by several other organisations, including Women's Aid and Rape Crisis Scotland, which said the MSP's remarks risked "erasing the reality" of survivors' experiences.
What Comes Next
Manivannan has not indicated whether they will make a formal statement to the Scottish Parliament. The Scottish Green Party is expected to decide on any further action in the coming days.
The SRCA has called for a meeting with Manivannan to discuss the comments and ensure future statements align with survivor-centred approaches. The MSP's office said they are open to dialogue with the alliance.