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Left to right – Assistant Chief Constable Dee Perkins (Strategic Programme Director, Op Soteria), PC Ian Codling, PC Zac Hayns, and Assistant Chief Constable Samantha Miller (Stategic Programme Director, Violence Against Women and Girls)
Sussex Police’s Wealden Volunteer Police Cadets have been nationally recognised for their work with children and young people to combat violence against women and girls.
The Wealden Cadets – all volunteers under 18 supported by adult leaders – engaged with hundreds of Year 11 students in the area about an issue that is right at the top of Sussex’s priority list.
They delivered presentations on how Sussex Police is tackling violence against women and girls and highlighted the clear and crucial role men and boys have in keeping women and girls safe.
The presentation was packed with impactful statistics, and included information on domestic abuse, stalking and drink spiking prevention.
So far the group has reached 760 students and distributed 382 information packs, particularly to students from rural communities.
The feedback has been positive, with many students saying they were previously unaware of some of the issues. The cadets plan to continue to engage with more schools going forward.
On Tuesday, 17 September, Cadet Leader PC Ian Codling and PC Zak Hayns attended the NPCC VAWG and Op Soteria National Recognition Event 2024 on behalf of their young team to receive the Runners Up award for ‘Effective working with children and young people regarding violence against women and girls’.
PC Ian Codling said: “Fostering healthy, positive behaviour among young people is so important, and education at this early age can lay the foundations for a happy, safe future.
“I’m so proud of the proactivity and determination shown by the Wealden Cadets, who have given up their own time to educate their peers about violence against women and girls.
“That engagement not only benefits the students, but the Cadets as well, who are learning important skills and life lessons.
“It was fantastic to see them receive national recognition and I look forward to helping them continue to make a positive contribution to their communities.”
Detective Superintendent Andy Harbour said: “Tackling violence against women and girls is about more than policing. It is a societal issue, which makes changing attitudes and fostering a healthy culture through education so important.
“The engagement work carried out by the Wealden Cadets is a fantastic example of that approach. Young people who volunteer their time to support the police and helping to spread this extremely important message to their peers.
“At Sussex Police we are committed to protecting women and girls in the present, while working with our partners and the next generation to help build a safer future.”