NY woman calls for restrictions on where abusers can live when released on license

A Scarborough woman's campaigning to stop abusers from being able to live within 5 miles of their victims when they leave prison.

Suzzanne Thompson was assaulted when she was 10 years old. Her perpetrator was jailed for 13 years but will soon be released on license after serving five.

She was originally told he'd be allowed to move back into a house two streets away from her home.

After complaining, Suzzanne was been told a 10 mile exclusion zone will likely be approved - but she says it's not guaranteed: "It is still down to the parole board to make that final decision. He's due up for parole in July, and to date we still have not heard when he would, when he will come out. So if the parole board choose to overturn it, he could still move back to the village."

"I am determined to fight this. So as it stands at the moment, I do not intend to move. However, when we first heard in November, it was that fight or flight, and I was ready to fly."

"I always saw myself as a survivor and I am a survivor however, when you're fighting your battle, you become a victim again. Through this battle he has made me and the system has made me a victim again because you're having to prove that you are a victim to prove that you want protecting."

She's calling for a change to the rules to protect other victims and survivors: "For me this should be an automatic five mile exclusion zone for perpetrators. They should not be allowed to move back to their homes. Why should it be the victims or survivors that have to contemplate moving?"

What do the Government say?

A Ministry of Justice spokesperson said:

“Victims must feel safe, which is why offenders released on licence must follow strict conditions, such as curfews and exclusion zones that prevent them approaching their victims. They face going back to prison if they break the rules.”

Where to get support

If you’ve been affected by the issues raised in this article, help is available. Contact Rape Crisis in your nation:

Rape crisis England and Wales - 808 500 2222 - https://rapecrisis.org.uk

Rape Crisis Scotland - 08088 01 03 02 - [https://www.rapecrisisscotland.org.uk ](https://www.rapecrisisscotland.org.uk |newtab)

Rape Crisis NI – 0800 0246 991 - [https://rapecrisisni.org.uk ](https://www.rapecrisisscotland.org.uk |newtab)

Hear all the latest news from across the UK on the hour, every hour, on Greatest Hits Radio on DAB, smartspeaker, at greatesthitsradio.co.uk, and on the Rayo app.