Rape survivors in Scotland have launched a campaign to improve the rights of victims during their attackers’ parole process.
Ellie Wilson and Hannah McLaughlan, who have both bravely waived their right to anonymity, say the current system is deeply flawed and shows a “lack of care for victims”.
Ms Wilson’s ex-boyfriend, former medical student Daniel McFarlane was convicted of raping her 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.
Two years into his sentence, she was informed by the Scottish Prison Service (SPS) that McFarlane was being considered for parole.
Ellie, 27, is awaiting a decision on December 18 about whether her attacker will be released from prison. While she says it’s “too late” to change the system for her, she hopes to spark reform for future victims.
She told the Record: “After enduring a traumatic trial and numerous attempts from him to appeal, it feels profoundly unjust that I need to deal with his parole so soon.
“The process of going to trial was confusing and disempowering. The parole process for a victim feels the same.
“My rapist denies his guilt and blames me for his actions. He attempted to appeal his verdict to the UK Supreme Court.
“Yet he could be released in a matter of days.”
Ellie said that she has not had the opportunity to rebuild her life since her attacker was put behind bars nearly two and a half years ago.
She said: “When the judge said five years, I thought it would give me enough time to rebuild my life and try to start healing. I just haven’t had that opportunity – the first two and a half years have not given me any peace.
“During the first year, my attacker tried to appeal his sentence. Before going on to take it to the UK Supreme Court.
“That was rejected then he lodged an attempt to appeal directly with the UK Supreme Court. He has done everything in his power to shirk responsibility. That has left me with no chance to rebuild my life or move on.”
And now, Ellie has been left scrambling to try and find a new home.
She said: “If he is granted parole, there will be a direct risk to my safety. I don’t feel safe in my own home because he knows where I live.
“I have suffered nightmares ever since I got the first letter that his parole proceeding would start. If you were to go out and ask the public about a two and a half year sentence they’d probably say it was for theft – not rape.
“Some people would say five years isn’t even enough but two and a half is a joke. In this country we talk about having a progressive justice system but it seems that only applies to the perpetrator, not the victim.”
Ms McLaughlan’s attacker Logan Doig was sentenced to nine-and-a-half years in 2023. The 26-year-old says she is now “terrified” of what is to come after witnessing Ellie face the parole process so soon.
She said: “When my rapist was jailed I felt a sense of relief, knowing I would have time to process the trauma. Now I’ve watched Ellie’s experience and I’m terrified of what is to come for me.
“My rapist could be released early too, despite never having acknowledged his guilt.”
Both women gave evidence to the Scottish Parliament’s Criminal Justice Committee on the Victims, Witnesses, and Justice Reform Bill in January. While the Bill proposes extensive reforms to the criminal justice system, it does not address the parole process.
The two women have now called on the Scottish Government to make three changes:
- Victims to be given the right to attend oral parole hearings
- Parole decisions should rely heavily on whether an offender has denied guilt
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Clear explanations of victims’ rights during the parole process
Ellie continued: “Victims are treated as an afterthought and their safety and wellbeing are not prioritised. No one has fully explained the parole process to me and I don’t know what, if any, rights I have as the victim.
“We need to ensure victims are supported even after their case concludes and their voices are heard. Those brave enough to come forward deserve better.”
“And perpetrators who deny their guilt should not be eligible for parole. The current parole system is not fit for purpose.”
Reflecting on her own experience with the justice system, Hannah added: “I hope the Justice Reform Bill will lead to a better justice system for rape survivors. However we have not got the right support in place during parole processes.
“The parole board’s decisions directly impact victims’ safety and wellbeing, yet we are left in the dark on what is going on.
“The system needs to change.”
Justice Secretary Angela Constance said “My thoughts remain with Ellie and Hannah, who have endured horrific experiences. Their views are being taken seriously.”
She highlighted recent victim-focused reforms to the parole process and expressed openness to further improvements. “The Parole Board, which operates independently of Ministers, has a critical role in increasing transparency and considering victims’ wellbeing. Under the Victims and Witnesses (Scotland) Act 2014, they are required to consider the involvement and wellbeing of victims in their decisions.”
Constance also pointed to the government’s October announcement of proposed changes to the Victim Notification Scheme, which aims to enhance support, advice, and information for victims.
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