Justice for Victims: Families unite to demand change in Parliament
Yesterday, something big happened in Parliament. And I am not talking about the Spring Statement.
Yesterday five families, all victim to some of the worst crimes imaginable, came together to say something had to change. Victims deserve a voice, justice must be served.
Paula Hudgens has campaigned for years for stricter sentences for child abusers, successfully helping the last government bring in Tony’s Law, because her adopted son Tony experienced the most brutal and unbearable start in life, leaving him fighting for his life at only a few months old and with life long injuries to follow.
Katie Brett, whose 16 year old sister Sasha was brutally stabbed over 100 times by a man who lured her into a hotel, under the pretence of a job that she was excited to start. Her life was ended in the most hideous way, and the family have been left feeling justice has not been served, unaware they were able to appeal the sentence until it was too late.
Glenn and Becky Youens daughter, Violet, was only 4 years old when she was hit by a stolen car driving 83 miles an hour, when she was standing at a crossing with her grandmother. The drivers stepped over her body and one fled the country. Violet’s grandmother has been left with life changing injuries, and sadly Violet was killed. The driver spent only marginally more time in prison than Violet was alive. Glenn and Becky have campaigned for stricter sentences for death by dangerous driving, and this week are speaking out about how in their case, justice has not been served.
Ayse Hussein’s cousin went missing for over a year, and was eventually found thanks to the family’s own investigation, in the freezer of a known sex offender. When the freezer was scanned, they found another body beneath Jan’s, which has been there for three years. Their families experience of the justice system was woeful, and she has been campaigning ever since for better treatment of families in these terrible circumstances.
And finally, Jeremy and Susan Everard, the parents of Sarah who was killed by serving police officer Wayne Cousins. The well known story that made everyone sick to their stomach. Susan and Jeremy feel justice was served, with Wayne Cousins receiving a whole life sentence, and so are supporting this group of families to ensure others can feel the same.
Yesterday, these families took to Parliament, bought together by Dr Kieran Mullan MP, to meet cross party MPs and share their testimonies. They did their loved ones proud, as MPs we’re bought to tears by listening to what they have all collectively endured.
As a former MP myself, I know parliamentarians are regularly presented with some of the most challenging constituent cases, some of which were shared with us yesterday. But it is rare for a group of individuals so powerfully able to come together and push for change. Yesterday MPs sat up and listened.
I have no doubt Justice for Victims will achieve incredible things, because it is made up of incredible people.
It was an honour for us at Cratus Group to support Justice for Victims, and we look forward to helping them with their campaign.
To support Justice for Victims, you can find out more here and donate here.
