Parents of Sarah Everard launch campaign for tougher sentencing

Sarah Everard's parents, Jeremy and Susan, are advocating for tougher sentences for violent and sexual criminals as part of a new campaign group, Justice for Victims, launched in Parliament. Their daughter was murdered by police officer Wayne Couzens in 2021, and they expressed that Couzens' whole life order provided a small measure of comfort but highlighted the need for sentences to reflect the severity of such crimes. Other members of the group, like Paula Hudgell, whose adopted son Tony was severely abused, echoed the call for justice, emphasizing the long-lasting impact of such crimes on victims' lives. The campaign aims to influence sentencing policy, urging that victims' perspectives be considered more seriously. The Ministry of Justice is currently reviewing sentencing practices to ensure that they effectively punish offenders and protect the public. The group is set to meet with MPs to discuss their proposals further.