Dame Caroline Dinenage, Member of Parliament for Gosport, has used Justice Questions in Parliament to challenge the Government on the impact of early release of domestic abusers, raising the case of Gosport constituent and domestic abuse survivor Harmony Hayman.

Harmony, 33, endured years of physical and psychological abuse from a former partner, who is currently serving a lengthy prison sentence. She has continued to live in fear of him, including an ongoing police investigation into alleged threats to kill her made from inside prison using a contraband mobile phone.

Harmony has launched a petition calling on the Government to review how domestic abusers are able to continue their abusive behaviour from within prison, and to reconsider the eligibility of repeat violent offenders for early release.

Raising the case directly with the Minister, Caroline said: “As the Minister knows, technology is being used in many different forms to threaten women. A Gosport domestic abuse survivor, Harmony Hayman, is still living in fear of a former partner eight years after leaving the relationship, and he has used an illicit mobile phone from prison to contact her. She is now living in terror of the Government’s decision to release domestic abusers early from prison. Will the Minister look at Harmony’s petition, in which she calls on the Government to look into how domestic abusers are able to perpetuate their abusive behaviour from within prison, and also to review their eligibility for early release?”

Responding, Under-Secretary of State for Justice Alex Davies-Jones said the Government would look at Harmony’s petition and the wider issues raised, adding that Ministers were working directly with technology companies including Apple and Samsung on stalking technology and verification tools to prevent them being used to harm victims further.

Speaking after the exchange, Caroline said: “Harmony has shown incredible courage in speaking out about her experience and campaigning for change. No survivor of domestic abuse should have to live in fear that the system meant to protect them will instead put them at risk. I will keep pressing the Government to make sure Harmony’s petition is properly considered, and that victims like her are put first when decisions are made about the release of dangerous offenders.”