A rape survivor is barred from her attacker’s parole hearing after he objected, raising concerns about victim rights in Scotland’s justice system.
Scotland: A rape survivor has been banned from her attacker’s parole hearing. This happened after her ex-boyfriend, Daniel McFarlane, objected to her presence.
Ellie Wilson criticized the Parole Board for upholding McFarlane’s request. She feels this decision shows a lack of support for victims.
Ellie, a 27-year-old justice campaigner, was in a relationship with McFarlane when he raped her. She had hoped to attend the hearing scheduled for Valentine’s Day.
However, the Board’s decision letter confirmed she would not be allowed to attend. They cited the “prisoner’s objections” as the reason.
Now, Ellie faces a long wait to learn if McFarlane will be released early. He was sentenced to five years in July 2022 after being convicted of raping her twice.
Ellie, who has waived her anonymity, expressed her frustration. She stated it’s unfair that her rights are secondary to her attacker’s wishes.
Last month, she launched a campaign for reform in victim rights during parole processes. She believes the current system is flawed and lacks care for victims.
Next week, Ellie and fellow survivor Hannah McLaughlan will meet with key government officials. They aim to discuss the need for transparency in parole hearings.
Ellie pointed out that court cases are public, so why not parole hearings? She wants to understand the process better and have access to information that affects her life.
She also highlighted the trauma victims face during these processes. The upcoming hearing is particularly painful for her, given its timing on Valentine’s Day.
Ellie has received support from Scottish Labour MSP Monica Lennon. Lennon emphasizes the need for a trauma-informed approach in the justice system.
The Parole Board for Scotland does not comment on individual cases. They consider requests to observe hearings based on available information.
