// BBC UK NEWS — CRONACA
Victims call for sex attackers to be excluded from early release plans
Katie Johnston was raped 10 years ago and wants victims to be listened to when it comes to the early release of prisoners
A woman who was raped by a stranger has asked politicians to think of victims and abandon plans for the early release of hundreds of criminals.
Katie Johnston's attacker Alasdair McDonald was branded a "faceless, violent and predatory rapist" by the judge who jailed him for 10 years.
Under proposals from the Scottish government, long-term prisoners like McDonald would be freed automatically after completing two-thirds of their sentence.
Ministers argue urgent action is required to address record levels of overcrowding in Scotland's jails, but organisations representing victims of crime say exemptions for sex offenders and people convicted of domestic abuse should be considered.
McDonald targeted Katie in Aberdeen city centre in 2016, leaving her seriously injured and traumatised.
He is now nearing the end of his prison sentence and will be supervised for a further three years after his release.
That means the 59-year-old will be out of jail before any changes come into effect, but the prospect of automatic early release for people like him worries Katie deeply.
Police Scotland images of 36 people who have been given long-term sentences this year - all of them would benefit if the proposals are backed by parliament
She said: "Victims go through the ordeal of actually getting attacked and then you have to go through the ordeal of the legal process, the courts, reporting it to the police.