Extend the length of bail conditions to offer further protection for victims.

Rape, sexual assault, domestic abuse.. just some of the cases in which evidence can take 6-12 months to investigate. The average time offenders are released on bail (with conditions such as no contact with the victim) is not even a month. This offers very little legal protection to the victim

The attacker will be “advised” not to contact the victim, if he/she does it can be logged as witness intimidation, or harassment - but that doesn’t always stop attackers from reaching out, or getting someone to do it for them. The police cannot extend the bail conditions to offer the victim protection, the victim is advised to seek legal help, which can cost around £2,500 for a non molestation order. The police do the very best they can, but the law should have more in place to protect the victim, bail conditions should cover the entire process before possible conviction.

The law currently argues that offenders have civil rights that bail conditions can interfere with, but victims have the right to feel safe and protected while the investigation is still ongoing. By signing, we will be one step closer to achieving this.