Sexual abuse survivor scolds Labour and Tories for using early release scheme as 'political football' - 'It's tiresome!'

Sexual abuse survivor scolds Labour and Tories for using early release scheme as 'political football' - 'It's tiresome!'

A survivor of sexual abuse has hit out at the Government and the Tories for using Labour's early release scheme as a "political football". Speaking to GB News, Vicki Crawford said the infighting between political parties is becoming "tiresome" and they should focus on blocking violent criminals from being released early. Discussing the potential early release of her abuser, Ms Crawford told host Camilla Tominey that he was sentenced to seven years in 2024 for eight counts of indecent assault. She explained: "There were concurrent sentences, so it looked like more when you factor in each count per sentence. TRENDING Stories Videos Your Say "However, seven years didn't feel like very long in prison because he would be released at the 50 per cent mark. "But now, because of the changes at 33 per cent, he would be due for release when this scheme goes live." Ms Crawford stressed that the impact her abuser has had on her life has been "catastrophic". She told GB News: "It wasn't just the crimes themselves, it was the repercussions from those crimes. It's followed me throughout my life. "It's affected my relationship with my family, I don't have a relationship with my family anymore because of it, it's made relationships difficult because of trust issues, and life hasn't been easy as a result of it. "The seven-year sentence was probably the best vindication I could have got, so early release does feel like a kick in the teeth." Criticising the approach to the scheme from the Government and other political parties, Ms Crawford said that it is becoming "tiresome" watching the parties go "back and forth" on who to blame. She said: "Listening to politicians pass it backwards and forwards as to who's to blame is becoming tiresome. "We don't really want to hear it. We'd rather they just got on with resolving the situation and stop blaming each other. "And as for people that should maybe be considered for release over sexual offenders and violent criminals, mayb