How many victims are too many?

Every day, victims of domestic abuse, stalking, serious violence and other crimes are trying to rebuild their lives.

For many, the harm does not end when the relationship ends — or even when an offender is convicted and sent to prison. Victims can be left living with fear, trauma, harassment, intimidation and uncertainty long after a sentence has been handed down.

Beyond the Sentence UK began with my own experience as a survivor of domestic abuse. But since starting this campaign, I have heard from survivors, victims and families across the UK whose lives have been affected by serious and repeat offending.

Different stories. Different circumstances. But a common question keeps emerging:

What happens when an offender continues to pose a serious risk, while the victim and their family are left carrying the consequences?

One of the central concerns behind this campaign is the use of early release schemes and the release of offenders before they have completed the full sentence imposed by the court.

I understand that the prison system is under enormous pressure and that rehabilitation and reducing reoffending are important parts of the justice system.

But victims should not be expected to carry the consequences of prison overcrowding.

When an offender has demonstrated a serious and repeated pattern of violence, domestic abuse, stalking or harassment, we believe the potential impact on victims and communities must be properly considered before early release.

Through the stories being shared with me, several concerns are being raised repeatedly:

• Domestic abuse perpetrators being released early while victims continue to live in fear.

• Repeat violent offenders being released while there are ongoing concerns about the risk they pose.

• Stalking, harassment, coercive control and post-separation abuse continuing after relationships and criminal proceedings have ended.

• Repeated breaches of restraining orders, non-molestation orders and licence conditions.

• Offenders continuing to demonstrate concerning behaviour while in custody or under licence.

• Victims having to repeatedly report incidents and explain their circumstances to different agencies while trying to rebuild their lives.

• Children and families continuing to be affected by offending long after the original crime.

• The use of contraband mobile phones and other methods of communication from prison to contact, intimidate or manipulate victims.

• The difficulty of recognising individual incidents as part of a wider pattern of repeat behaviour.

• Victims being left with lifelong consequences while offenders may return to the community far earlier than they expected.

We are calling for greater scrutiny of early release decisions where there is evidence of serious repeat offending or an ongoing risk to victims and the public.

This should include meaningful consideration of previous offending, patterns of behaviour, breaches of court orders or licence conditions, behaviour in custody, ongoing risk and the safety concerns raised by victims.

This campaign is not about saying that every offender should remain in prison.

I believe in rehabilitation and second chances. People can change, and genuine rehabilitation should be recognised.

But rehabilitation must be considered alongside public safety.

There is a difference between someone who has demonstrated genuine and sustained change and someone who continues to demonstrate serious and repeated offending.

We believe early release should not simply be viewed as a matter of prison capacity. Where an offender presents a significant and demonstrable risk, there must be effective safeguards to protect victims and communities.

Prison overcrowding is a serious national challenge.

Victims should not be expected to solve it.

No victim should be left wondering whether the person who harmed them will be released early while they are still trying to rebuild their life.

No family should have to live with the fear that an offender with a history of serious repeat violence may return to the community before the risks they present have been properly addressed.

And no victim should feel that their safety matters less because the person who harmed them has reached a point in their sentence where release becomes possible.

This petition is calling on the Government to review whether current early release arrangements provide sufficient protection for victims of domestic abuse, stalking and serious repeat offending, and whether stronger safeguards are needed.

We are calling for:

• Greater consideration of victim safety in early release decisions.

• Greater scrutiny where there is a history of repeat violent offending.

• Greater consideration of repeated breaches of court orders and licence conditions.

• Proper consideration of ongoing risk and concerning behaviour.

• Stronger protection for victims following an offender’s release.

• Better communication between agencies responsible for managing offenders and protecting victims.

• Greater recognition of the long-term impact of repeat offending on victims, children and families.

This campaign began with one survivor’s story.

It is now becoming a collective voice for victims, survivors and families affected by serious and repeat offending.

We want to listen to those affected, gather evidence, raise awareness and push for meaningful reform.

Because justice should not simply ask:

“Has enough of the sentence been served?”

It should also ask:

“What has changed?”

“Is the risk still there?”

“Are victims safe?”

And most importantly:

“What can we do to prevent the next victim?”

Every survivor deserves the opportunity to rebuild their life without living in constant fear.

Every family affected by serious violence deserves to know that their loved one’s life matters.

And every victim deserves to know that their safety is being taken seriously.

It is time to move Beyond the Sentence.

💜 Please read our petition updates for survivor and family stories, and help us give victims a voice.💜