The Maggie Oliver Foundation stands with Jade Belgrave's call to protect victims from the early release of sexual offenders

Yesterday, survivor Jade Belgrave delivered a petition and letter to Number 10 Downing Street, calling on the new Prime Minister, Andy Burnham, to ensure that people convicted of serious sexual offences are not released from prison early.

The petition was signed by more than 100,000 people, and the accompanying letter was co-signed by survivors and organisations standing alongside them, including The Maggie Oliver Foundation.

Jade took this action after receiving a letter in June informing her that the man who raped and groomed her when she was 14 years old could be eligible for release two years earlier than expected under the Government's early release plans introduced through the Sentencing Act 2026.

The changes were introduced to help relieve pressure on the overcrowded prison system. Throughout the passage of the legislation, the Government repeatedly emphasised that the most dangerous offenders would not benefit from the reforms. However, because eligibility is determined by the type of sentence imposed rather than the offence itself, many victims and survivors have now received letters informing them that the people who raped, sexually abused or violently assaulted them could be considered for earlier release.

In her letter, Jade powerfully describes the devastating impact these notifications have had on victims and survivors who have already endured years of trauma as a result of their abuse.

Sadly, this is something we are hearing directly from the survivors who contact our services. Since these letters began arriving, we have spoken to people who are frightened that those who abused them could soon be released. Many are scared for their own safety and that of their children.

Many victims and survivors will only learn whether their perpetrator could be released early if they previously opted into the Victim Contact Scheme following sentencing. Not everyone is aware of the scheme or supported to join it, meaning some victims may receive no notification at all. Too often, the safety and wellbeing of victims falls through the cracks.

At The Maggie Oliver Foundation, we are proud to stand alongside Jade and every survivor calling for the law to be changed so that people convicted of serious sexual offences cannot be released significantly earlier than victims were led to expect. Victims and survivors deserve to have confidence that their safety, wellbeing and voices will be placed at the heart of decisions that affect them.

You can read Jade's letter here.

You can also read more about the campaign in The Independent.