First group of volunteers trained to help stop violence

YOUTH workers from 15 organisations have completed training to help reduce the risk of young people becoming victims of sexual violence - thanks to £75,000 funding.

- By STAFF REPORTER

Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) Rupert Matthews, right, allocated the money to boost the knowledge and skills of volunteers and staff for a bespoke educational package to teach young people about acceptable behaviour.

The PCC invited community groups, grassroots organisations, charities and sports and youth clubs to apply for a grant to cover the cost of the training package.

A total of 23 organisations successfully applied for grants worth just over £3,250 each, and the first cohort of 15 have completed their training. The remaining eight are now ready to embark on the programme.

The PCC is shining a spotlight on the work to tackle violence against women and girls (VAWG) as the nation marks No More Week 2025 - an international awareness week aimed at raising awareness of domestic abuse and sexual violence.

Mr Matthews said: "It is vital we tackle VAWG crimes from every angle and the more we can invest in prevention, the more young people we will protect from becoming future victims or perpetrators.

"The feedback received from the training cohort has been overwhelmingly positive.