A Scottish rape survivor expresses outrage over her attacker’s hearing date coinciding with Valentine’s Day, calling it insensitive and triggering.
Edinburgh: A Scottish rape survivor is understandably upset. Ellie Wilson is furious that her attacker’s parole hearing is set for Valentine’s Day. She feels it’s a cruel reminder of her trauma.
Ellie, who was raped by her ex-boyfriend Daniel McFarlane, reached out to the Parole Board. She asked them to change the date, hoping for some compassion. But their response was pretty cold.
She pointed out that Valentine’s Day is already a tough time for her. It’s not just a random date; it’s around when she was assaulted. It feels like the board didn’t even consider her feelings.
Ellie shared her frustration with the Daily Record. She said, “Every time I think the justice system can’t get worse, it does.” It’s hard to believe they wouldn’t reschedule for her sake.
She explained how triggering this time of year is for her. Yet, the board seemed more focused on their schedule than her trauma. It’s disheartening to see victims treated this way.
Scottish Labour MSP Monica Lennon is backing Ellie. She believes the parole board needs to be more understanding and trauma-informed. It’s crucial to consider the needs of survivors.
Ellie’s experience highlights a bigger issue. Many survivors feel that the system is just as traumatic as the assault itself. There’s a long way to go to make sure their needs are prioritized.
McFarlane was convicted of raping Ellie twice and was sentenced to five years in prison. Now, two years into his sentence, he’s up for parole, and Ellie is left to deal with the emotional fallout.
Last month, she even started a campaign for reform. She wants to improve the rights of victims during these hearings. She’s not alone in feeling that the current system lacks care for victims.
The Parole Board for Scotland stated they can’t comment on individual cases. They mentioned that legislation requires them to consider individuals around specific dates, which is why the hearing is set for then.
