VIDEO: Fantastic event held at Havering Sixth Form to mark International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women.

Violence against women and girls is an issue that urgently needs to be addressed by our communities and yesterday Wednesday November 23, a special all day event was held at Havering Sixth Form on Wingletye Lane, Hornchurch. The fantastic event saw key speakers that included a survivor of child marriage, a police chief inspector and a member of Talk Consent.

The event was organised by Emma Wood, the college’s lead for Safeguarding and was a brilliant way to raise awareness of the efforts being made to eliminate violence against women. Guest speakers were Pazee Malika who is a campaigner and talks about her experiences of being a survivor of child marriage and FGM. Her sister was a victim of an honour killing and she has now dedicated her time campaigning in the hope to bring about changes to women’s rights.

Chief Inspector Louise Jackson, East Area’s lead on violence against women and girls also gave a talk to the students. Chief Inspector Jackson has worked very hard across East Area organising many events to tackle this important issue and to encourage women to come forward and share any concerns they may have. Many ‘Walk and Talks’ have been held right across the three boroughs that gives women the opportunity to walk alongside a police officer to talk about concerns they may have in particular areas where they do not feel safe.

The students found the speakers very interesting and the whole event has educated them to realise that if they call out bad behaviour, they can make a difference and change the society we live so that women and girls are able to feel safe both in their homes and out on the streets.

Also present were Sex Ed Matters, Forward, Respond, East London Rape Crisis Team and the Met Police.

This was a great event held by New City College that really highlighted such an important issue. Students at the college were educated and vocal on just how important it is to eliminate violence against women and male students were keen to support their female friends and call out bad behaviour.

Chief Inspector Louise Jackson East Area Police’s Lead on Violence Against Women and Girls.

Emma Wood with students and guest speakers Pazee Malika, Chief Inspector Jackson and Dan Allchurch from Talk Consent.