Domestic abuse worker is honoured

May 9 2008 Chester Chronicle

A WOMAN at the centre of initiatives to curb domestic violence across Cheshire has won an accolade.

Sue Bridge is the county council development manager for domestic abuse and co-ordinator of Cheshire Domestic Abuse Partnership.

She was one of a small group officially recognised as an Outstanding Domestic Violence Co-ordinator at the London conference.

The event was organised by Standing Together Against Domestic Violence.

Cheshire’s chief executive Jeremy Taylor put Sue’s name forward for the honour and said: “I know that Sue would be the first to say that this has been a team effort and a wide range of voluntary and statutory agencies have all played their part.

“However, her vision, perseverance and dedication are truly remarkable, inspiring respect, loyalty and commitment from people who work with her to restore dignity and safety to extremely vulnerable people.”

Sue’s work began 10 years ago when she set up the Cheshire Domestic Abuse Partnership. Under Sue’s leadership there is a great deal of help available including two Domestic Abuse Family Safety Units based in police stations to which any family can be referred – last year there were 1,000 referrals.

There is a specialist Domestic Violence Court which supports victims to give evidence.

And there is a wide range of services for children which include a team titled Safeguarding Children in Education which works to support children and school communities.

Sue said: “I am still in a state of shock because I had no idea that my name had been put forward for the award.

“It reflects the active and able partnership of agencies in Cheshire both in the voluntary and statutory sector.

“I feel very honoured and would say that tackling domestic abuse is the most challenging and at the same time most worthwhile part of my career.”

Assistant Chief Constable Garry Shewan from Cheshire Police added: “Sue has built one of the best domestic abuse partnerships from nothing.”