A rape survivor has been banned from her attacker ex-boyfriend’s parole hearing after he objected to her attending.

Ellie Wilson slammed the Parole Board in Scotland after rapist Daniel McFarlane’s request to block her from an early release hearing was upheld.

The 27-year-old justice campaigner, who was in a relationship with Daniel McFarlane when he raped her, had appealed for compassion after the hearing was scheduled for Valentine’s Day.

But a decision letter from the Board confirmed she would be barred from attending, noting the “prisoner’s objections” in their decision.

She now faces an agonising wait to find out whether he will be released after serving half of his sentence.

Rape survivor and Campaigner Ellie Wilson

Ellie, who has waived her right to anonymity, told the Record: “It’s a scandal. My application to attend has been denied because my rapist doesn’t want me there.

“So because he doesn’t want me there, I’m not allowed to attend.

“It feels so unfair that my needs, my rights are secondary to his.

“It’s an embarrassment to Scotland that rapists have more rights than victims. Is this the message that we want to send to people who have been brave enough to come forward.”

Medical student McFarlane was convicted of raping Ellie twice between December 2017 and February 2018. He was jailed for five years in July 2022 after a trial at the High Court in Glasgow.

Ellie Wilson was raped by ex-boyfriend Daniel McFarlane – who confessed on tape
Ellie Wilson was raped by ex-boyfriend Daniel McFarlane – who confessed on tape (Image: Ellie Wilson)

Last month, Ellie launched a campaign calling for urgent reform to improve the rights of victims during parole processes, alongside fellow survivor Hannah McLaughlan. She described the current system as deeply flawed and showing a “lack of care for victims.”

Next week, they will meet with First Minister John Swinney and Justice Secretary Angela Constance.

Ellie said: “Parole is secretive, I don’t understand the lack of transparency. Court cases are held in public; anyone can attend a trial or sentencing. Why is it different for parole?

“I don’t think most people understand just how incredibly traumatic this process is for victims. The hearing is on Valentine’s Day despite my objections, and now I have been denied access. Even if I was allowed to attend, I would have to sign a gag order.

“Right now the Scottish Government points to the Parole Board and says they’re independent and they make their own decisions. The Board then points to the Government saying we need legislative change.

“I am going to be pretty frank about what the state of the parole process is like. I want to see the law changed.”

“It seems in England and Wales they are a lot further ahead. Victims have a lot more agency. The Scottish Government likes to think they are better than the UK, but what are they going to do to change it?”

Ellie Wilson and Hannah McLaughlan have launched a campaign
Ellie Wilson and Hannah McLaughlan have launched a campaign (Image: Scottish Parliament)

According to the latest data, an independent review of the Victim Notification Scheme in May 2023 found that just seven victims had been permitted to ‘silently’ attend hearings since it was allowed in 2021. In England and Wales, the law changed in 2022 to allow parole cases to be heard in public if a judge permits.

Ellie added: “I want to have access to information about something that is going to affect my life. I don’t want to have to wait for a phone call to find out whether my attacker has been granted parole.

“I also want to know why the decision has been made. Having access to more information would have helped me feel a little more in control of my life.”

Ellie has been backed by Scottish Labour MSP Monica Lennon, who believes the parole board must adapt a more “trauma-informed response”.
She said: “I hear from survivors often that accessing justice can be just as traumatising as the assault itself.
“There is a long way to go to ensure the needs of survivors are considered.

“We know the courts and system are spinning plates and dealing with a huge backlog, but at the heart of this should be the needs of the survivor.”

A spokesperson said: “The Parole Board for Scotland does not comment on individual cases. Requests to observe hearings are considered by the panel considering the case on the basis of the information available to them.”

Don’t miss the latest news from around Scotland and beyond – Sign up to our daily newsletter here.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Related Posts


This will close in 0 seconds