Glasgow rape survivor launches campaign to reform ‘nonsensical’ parole system

A rape survivor from Glasgow is spearheading a campaign to give victims a stronger voice in Scotland’s parole system.

Ellie Wilson, who was raped by her then-boyfriend Daniel McFarlane while both were students at the University of Glasgow, is leading efforts to make the system more victim-centred.

McFarlane was sentenced to five years in prison in 2022 but is now eligible for parole, a possibility Ellie only learned about through a letter from the Scottish Prison Service (SPS).

Ellie described her shock to Rayo: “I honestly just couldn’t believe it was all happening so soon. It feels like just yesterday he went to prison. When I got that letter in the summer, my heart just sank.”

She criticised the system as “nonsensical” and disempowering, saying: “After enduring a traumatic trial and numerous appeals, dealing with this so soon feels profoundly unjust. No one has fully explained the parole process to me, and I don’t know what, if any, rights I have.”

Ellie continued: “Victims are treated as an afterthought and their needs, wellbeing, and safety are not accounted for.

“If we truly want to have a compassionate and trauma-informed justice system, we need to ensure victims are supported after their case concludes and that their voices are heard.

“Those who are brave enough to come forward deserve better.”

Ellie is joined in her campaign by fellow survivor Hannah McLaughlan, whose rapist was sentenced to nine and a half years in prison in 2023. The pair aim to make the parole process more transparent, ensure victims are supported, and emphasise the importance of whether an offender admits guilt in parole decisions.

‘Profoundly unjust’

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Hannah echoed Ellie’s concerns, saying: “Watching what Ellie is going through terrifies me for what’s to come. My rapist could be released early, despite never having acknowledged his guilt. The system isn’t fit for purpose.”

Lisa Stewart from Ayrshire, who has campaigned for seven years to reform the parole system after her sister Michelle was murdered in 2008, also voiced her support. “When someone doesn’t admit guilt or show remorse, it’s clear they remain in the same mindset as when they committed the crime.”

Lisa highlighted how victims often feel blindsided by the process: “One day, out of the blue, you’re notified that the offender is being considered for parole. It’s devastating.”

Calls for change

Ellie and Hannah are calling for three key reforms to the parole system:

1. Greater considerations of an offender’s denial of guilt in parole decisions.
2. Clear communication of victims’ rights under the Victim Notification Scheme (VNS), including accessible explanations of the parole process.
3. The right for victims to attend oral parole hearings if they wish.

The two survivors have already given evidence to the Scottish Parliament’s Criminal Justice Committee, advocating for these changes to be included in the forthcoming Victims, Witnesses, and Justice Reform Bill. However, the Bill currently excludes reforms to the parole process.

Justice Secretary responds

Justice Secretary Angela Constance acknowledged the survivors’ experiences, saying: “My thoughts remain with Ellie and Hannah, who have endured horrific experiences. We will take their views seriously.”

She outlined recent reforms to the parole process, including proposed improvements to the VNS and the creation of a Victim Contact Team to provide personalised support.

“The amount of information available to victims about offenders, including release details, will also be expanded,” she added.

While these steps mark progress, Ellie and Hannah insist more must be done. Ellie concluded: “If we truly want a compassionate and trauma-informed justice system, victims’ needs and voices must be prioritised. Those brave enough to come forward deserve better.”

Featured image via X