My sister was gang raped when she was just 19. The trauma from the attack was so severe that she committed suicide only three months later. The pain she endured was not just physical but deeply psychological; it was more like murder — it was a robbery of her spirit and her future. Despite the gravity of this crime, one of her attackers will walk free in 2027, just a mere handful of years after being sentenced. The others have been free, living their lives without consequence, for the past nine years. This is the sad reality of our justice system.

It's an injustice that the punishment does not fit the crime. In the United Kingdom (and other jurisdictions alike), the current sentences for sexual offences are shockingly lenient. According to a report by the Ministry of Justice, the average custodial sentence for rape was just over 10 years in recent years, with offenders often being released much earlier. This is not enough to serve as a deterrent, nor to offer justice to victims and their families.

We urgently need legislative change to introduce tougher and more stringent sentencing laws for sexual offences. Increasing the minimum and maximum jail terms reflects the severity of the crime and honours the pain of countless victims like my sister.

Moreover, it's imperative that we overhaul the parole system. Offenders should not be automatically eligible for early release; they must demonstrate genuine rehabilitation and remorse before being considered for parole.

Please, sign this petition urging lawmakers to adopt stricter penalties for sexual offences. We owe it to the victims still with us, those we have lost, and those who will unfortunately become victims in the future. Let’s stand together to demand justice and integrity in our legal system. Together, we can make a difference.