Young campaigner recognised with city award

A 16-year-old sixth form student has been recognised for her work to raise awareness of the impact of sexual harassment and assault on women and young girls across the city, after being nominated by Safe and Sound.

Amelia Roe, a pupil at Allestree Woodlands School, put forward for the Outstanding Contribution to the Community award, sponsored by Derby City Council, at this year’s Derby Youth Awards, which are organised by Sporting Communities.

With the help of Sporting Communities, she developed and delivered a series of workshops for her school around sexual harassment and consent, which she now hopes to broaden out to other schools in the city.

Amelia has also worked with Safe and Sound, which supports children, young people and their families whose lives are affected by child exploitation, and with the city council on the Safe Derby awareness campaign to tackle, challenge and prevent violence against women and girls in public places.

She has since become a young ambassador for Safe and Sound – providing a young person’s view on a wide range of issues and initiatives – and has also been appointed as a member of the Derbyshire Police and Crime Commissioner’s young person’s panel.

Amelia said: “I am honoured to receive this award. My goal continues to be to encourage open and honest conversations on the issue of violence against women and girls in particular.

“I have had so much support from Sporting Communities, Safe and Sound and Allestree Woodlands School and I hope that we can broaden out the workshops to highlight to young people that violence, harassment and abuse in all forms must not be tolerated.”

Tracy Harrison, chief executive of Safe and Sound, said: “Amelia is an extremely bright young person who is an excellent communicator and passionate about community safety.

“I hope that recognition from this award will elevate her voice and enable to further raise awareness of the issue of violence against women and girls.

“This is the third time that a young person nominated by us for the Derby Youth Awards has been recognised in this way.

“The awards are an important way to showcase the vision and commitment shown by young people to improve health, safety and wellbeing in our local communities and to hopefully inspire them and many others to achieve great things as they move into adulthood.”