Crimestoppers
Fearless
'Can you see me?'
Inspiring change by breaking down the shame of harmful practices
Crimestoppers is working with the Sussex PCC’s office, Pan Sussex Harmful Practices Group and partners to deliver an online training event specifically for frontline practitioners who have concerns around FGM and other hidden harms.
Crimestoppers, the Pan Sussex Harmful Practices Group & partners are delighted to announce this free online training event. This conference will be particularly relevant and beneficial to professionals working in roles which bring them into contact with FGM and other hidden harm affected communities, particularly those whose working roles are in health, education and local authority or victim focussed charitable fields.
This event features a multitude of highly trained, experienced, and grass roots level practitioners who will be sharing their expertise in identifying concerns, referring, and providing support to survivors of these practices.
We would like to give our thanks to the Sussex PCC’s office for providing funding to make this work possible.
Please find below further information about our wonderful speakers.
Gill Squires MBE, Honour Me
‘Honour Me’ was launched in February 2023 by multi award winning, recently retired child abuse detective, Gill Squires MBE. Gill has been a subject matter expert for Female Genital Mutilation, Forced Marriage and Honour Based Abuse since 2009. Gill is passionate about continuing to effect change, and to protect and safeguard those at risk of these hidden crimes by education, and empowering professionals to confidently identify, refer, assess and investigate effectively.
Mel Golding MSc, Superintendent, Criminal Justice, Custody and VWCU/ Southeast Harmful Practices Policing lead
Mel has 23 years’ policing experience, having started her career in Hampshire Constabulary. Mel joined Surrey police as a superintendent in 2022. Mel has wide experience in all frontline roles and Public Protection, and is currently the Head of Criminal Justice, Custody and Victim and Witness Care Unit. Mel has worked on the Harmful Practices portfolio since 2009 and is the strategic lead for Surrey Police and Southeast region. Mel was awarded her MSc in Criminal Justice, Policy, and Leadership in 2022. Her main areas of study focused on vulnerability and victims, completing her final dissertation on Harmful Practices, specifically Breast Ironing. Mel’s passion for prevention, trauma informed, and child centred policing is underpinned by her focus on forging strong partnerships with statutory and non-statutory stakeholders and doing the ‘right thing’ for the public we serve.
Detective Superintendent Ben Newman & DC Naomi O’Keefe, Pan Sussex Harmful Practices Working Group
Together Naomi and Ben oversee the vital work of the Pan Sussex Harmful Practices Working Group, supporting large scale initiatives such as Op Limelight, which intensified activity on targeting flights that are at risk of having passengers that may be taken abroad for Harmful Practice/Forced Marriage. The group also seeks to provide and promote training and support to organisations and professionals working within communities who are most vulnerable to hidden harm practices.
Bal Howard, BKH Training
Bal has been advocating on the issues of BME women and men on domestic violence, honour based crimes (Forced Marriage & Female Genital Mutilation) and Child Sexual Exploitation (CSE) since 2008. She has developed and delivers training for front-line practitioners in health, social care, police, education and the voluntary sector throughout England and Wales in the subjects of domestic abuse, risk assessment, honour based abuse, forced marriage, Female Genital Mutilation (FGM), radicalisation / extremism, modern day slavery and addiction. Bal is keen to share her experiences, being the voice of the victims and survivors who experience crimes rooted in the name of honour. In Bal’s words, “I refuse to take my past into the future, and regard myself to be an empowered survivor- my darkest past is now my greatest possession.”
Jordan Alexander, Prism Training
Jordan has over 20 years’ experience of leading on national safeguarding investigations specialising in all areas of public protection/safeguarding. During his career he has been the lead officer for reports where others have been accused or exploited following accusations of witchcraft or spiritual possessions. In 2017 he led the first criminal court case in the UK where this abuse was finally recognised as an aggravating factor. In 2023, Jordan became the new National Chairperson to lead the National Working Group for Spiritual and Ritualistic Abuse. Jordan has also led on and managed dozens of investigations and referrals of this kind leading to positive outcomes to safeguard everyone involved and will share how he overcame barriers with those at risk. Jordan’s input will educate about different forms of magic and witchcraft, superstitions, beliefs and faiths from across the world that are present here in the UK today.
Millie Kerr, Strategic Anti-Racist Lead Brighton & Hove Council
Millie has been practicing as a social work professional for three decades. Moving into management in 2003, working as Team Manager and Children’s Services Manager, within local authority children’s services, health and adult social care and the charity sector. Her career has spanned a range of disciplines, from safeguarding and child protection, HIV, palliative care,to child asylum, child trafficking, leaving care and specialist FGM and safeguarding services within the charity sector. Millie delivers intersectionality, within social work, the charity sector, at national conferences and more widely. Developing anti-racist practice within organisations, leadership and strategic change management, is a key area of particular interest within her present role and personal career objectives, to secure social justice, equity, and inclusion for all.
Christabel Yeboah, HERSANA
Christabel Yeboah [she/her] is one of the founders & Chief Vision Officer of the first national Gender-based Violence Support Service for Black femmes in the UK. Christabel has over ten years’ experience of working in the Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG) sector in frontline, leadership and strategic roles and her mission is and has always been to centre Black women in every narrative. As a Gender-based Violence Specialist Consultant, Christabel provides specialist advise to the private and statutory sector, police, local authorities, and other organisations on the particular intersections of experiences within marginalised communities and equips people with the tools, context, and information needed to take tangible steps towards change within their direct sphere of influence. As a Croydon resident, Christabel also chairs the BAME Domestic Abuse Partnership Forum for the borough and provides specialist support and expertise on Domestic Homicide Reviews involving Black women and girls.
