Hello

Earlier this week, I was delighted to open Sussex’s Stalking Continual Professional Development Day.

The day bought together partners from across Sussex Police, CPS and community organisations who work together to tackle stalking and end violence against women and girls (VAWG).

It was particularly interesting to hear more about our Stalking Single Point of Contact (SPoC) roles who support victims, as well as hear from those who have lived experiences of stalking and have been victim to obsessive and controlling behaviour.

Sussex Police and partners will continue to build on the foundations that have already been put in place to tackle VAWG by improving outcomes; issuing more Stalking Protection Orders and developing additional support for victims.

This Saturday is White Ribbon Day - a global movement of men and boys working to end male violence against women and girls. Following this, comes 16 days of action, encouraging and promoting ways for individuals and organisations to help #ChangeTheStory and work towards creating a future without male violence against women.

Have a look on my website early next week to read more about White Ribbon Day and to see the progress Sussex Police has made in its efforts to tackle VAWG in the last 10 years.

A transformative tool

This week marks ‘Restorative Justice (RJ) week’ and I would like to extend my sincere thanks to all colleagues and partners working within our Sussex Restorative Justice Partnership.

Restorative Justice is an important and well-established process which aims to repair the harm and give victims the chance to communicate to offenders in the aftermath of a crime. It may even provide the opportunity for victims to receive an apology for what they have experienced and can give the chance for a perpetrator to take responsibility for their actions.

Our award-winning partnership grows from strength to strength every year and we continue to see positive results from our RJ programme.

You can watch a video on my YouTube channel and hear from Father Stephen who was a victim of crime in Sussex and chose the Restorative Justice route to meet his perpetrator.

Katy Bourne OBE

Sussex Police & Crime Commissioner