Labour Considers Alert System for Victims of Rape and Stalking
Proposal to Inform Survivors of Nearby Perpetrators Under Review
The Labour Party in the UK is evaluating a new initiative that could notify survivors of sexual crimes, such as rape and stalking, if their offenders are nearby.
This plan, inspired by a similar program in Spain, was discussed by James Timpson, the prisons minister, during a session with the Commons justice select committee.
Timpson announced his upcoming visit to Spain to study their use of technology, specifically GPS tracking devices for offenders.
In Spain, devices are used to alert victims and authorities if an offender violates an exclusion zone.
This system involves an electronic band linked to a GPS, monitored by security forces.
The discussion in the UK comes amid criticism from stalking survivors who argue that courts aren't doing enough to enforce restraining orders.
Additionally, data from the Ministry of Justice indicate that convictions for breach of restraining orders in England and Wales have declined by 44% from 2018 to 2023.
A key case highlighting this issue involves Rhianon Bragg from Wales, who sought a more comprehensive restraining order against her former partner.
The proposed alert system could serve as a tool to strengthen measures protecting victims post-conviction.