Dorset Police news site

A network of support for staff and a partnership project providing safe spaces in Weymouth have been recognised at a national awards event for work tackling violence against women and girls (VAWG).

Dorset Police was honoured with two finalists at the National Centre for Violence Against Women and Girls and Public Protection (NCVPP) annual recognition event, which highlights outstanding work across policing.

The Force’s Survivors Network was the winner in the category for improving culture and conduct within police forces.

The network offers support to officers and staff affected by sexual harassment, domestic abuse and other forms of violence against women and girls.

It was co-designed by survivors to ensure dignity, equity and justice are embedded within the organisational culture and provides a confidential, trauma-informed safe space for staff to be heard.

The network was recognised as a ‘transformative force for compassion, fairness and accountability within policing’.

The Pineapple Project, a partnership scheme with Dorset Council, was also the winner in the making spaces safer category.

The pioneering scheme was launched in Weymouth in 2022 to tackle hidden harms such as peer-on-peer abuse and exploitation. It involved setting up a network of Community Guardians – local businesses and volunteers – who were trained to provide safe havens for girls and young women.

The project now has more than 60 guardians who help to foster a culture of active upstanders and collective responsibility.

The project was recognised for its combination of ‘community empowerment, education and partnership working’.

Detective Superintendent Neil Wright, Dorset Police’s operational lead for VAWG, said: “We are committed as a force to demonstrate that we are here for the safety of women and girls.

“As well as working to support victims and tackling VAWG-related crime, these two vital projects show that we are also focussing internally on providing support to our own staff as well as working with partners to offer spaces in our communities where women and girls can feel safe.”

The two finalists were selected from more than 75 entries by a panel that included judges from the specialist sector and academic experts.

All winning entries had to demonstrate how they built innovation into their activity, how their approach was victim-centred and the impact it has had, and will continue to have, in tackling violence against women and girls and keeping the public safe.

Deputy Assistant Commissioner Helen Millichap, director of the NCVPP, said: “It’s been an honour to award these brilliant police officers, staff, volunteers and partners today. Hearing the inspirational citations about their work, which tackles violence against women and girls and protects the public, reminds us all of the importance of the task we are undertaking and the great work that is already happening across the country that we can build on.”

Jess Phillips, Minister for Safeguarding and Violence against Women and Girls, added: “A woman is killed by a man on average every three days in the UK. That’s why the work of the police is so vital to tackle abusers and protect victims from harm. 

“These awards celebrate officers who refuse to look away from that reality, so thank you to all those officers who dedicate their lives to protecting the public.”