Month: June 2023

LimeCulture delivers training on special measures to Police in West Yorkshire

by

Last week, LimeCulture enjoyed a visit to West Yorkshire Police to deliver specialist training to their officers on Section 28 Pre-Recorded Cross Examination (PRCE).

The Government has committed to the national roll out of an additional special measure – Pre-Recorded Cross Examination (PRCE) – across all Crown Courts in England and Wales. Known as ‘Section 28’, the special measure allows victims to have their cross-examination pre-recorded earlier in the process and outside the courtroom.

In a programme funded by the Ministry of Justice and HMCTS last year, LimeCulture delivered specialist training on Section 28 to upskill 550 Independent Sexual Violence Advisers (ISVAs) across the country between June and November 2022.

Further to the training for ISVAs, and in response to requests from several police forces keen to develop their knowledge and practice around the new measures, LimeCulture has been keen to develop similar training on Section 28 specifically tailored to policing.

LimeCulture was delighted to work with West Yorkshire Police to deliver this new training to support officers to better understand what Section 28 PRCE is, how it works for victims of sexual violence in relation to other special measures, the advantages and challenges of Section 28 PRCE for victims/survivors, and the process requirements for officers.

The training includes valuable reflections from ISVA services about their clients’ experiences of special measures and PRCE in their engagement with the police.

Gemma Kirby, LimeCulture’s Head of Sexual Violence Training, said:

“We are delighted to have delivered this important training for police officers in West Yorkshire and are now able to offer this to other police forces to support them to better protect and support victims and survivors engaged in the criminal justice process.

Special measures are an essential part of the criminal justice process for vulnerable and intimidated witnesses, including victims of rape and sexual assault, and it is critical that police have access to the same messages and specialist learning as ISVAs on supporting victims/survivors with Section 28 PRCE and the whole range of special measures available to them.”

DCI John Moore, West Yorkshire Police, said:

“The training was a massive success and the feedback I have received reflects why I had so much faith in LimeCulture – it was interesting, informative, well-delivered and engaging. Officers have recommended to their colleagues that should the opportunity to go on this training comes up again, they should jump at the chance. This is an excellent collaboration and surely makes a new pathway for the future.”

DCI Moore’s team has just been awarded West Yorkshire Police Team of the Year 2023.  

To find out more about Section 28 PRCE training for the police, or for a bespoke quotation, contact our Training Team at training@limeculture.co.uk.

Join us at the 3rd UK-wide SVLO Conference 2023

by

LimeCulture is delighted to announce that the 3rd UK-wide national SVLO Conference for those working around sexual violence in universities, Knowledge and Network, will take place on Thursday 9 November 2023 in Birmingham.

Join Sexual Violence Liaison Officers (SVLOs) and Sexual Violence and Misconduct Liaison Officers (in Scotland, SVMLOs) from across the UK to share best practice in supporting students affected by sexual violence and misconduct, and discuss the challenges facing policy and practice in Higher Education.

With an ever-present and increasing focus on the responsibilities of the Higher Education sector in relation to student health, well-being and safety, this timely conference is a vital opportunity for practitioners and managers to stay up-to-date with current developments and connect with their peers.

Conversations will no doubt revolve around the incoming Office for Student’s condition of registration proposals on harassment and sexual misconduct, new regulation around freedom of speech in Higher Education and what this means in the context of sexual misconduct, and ongoing debates around the extent of universities’ duty of care to their communities of students and staff.

Our packed agenda – to be published shortly – will be informed by SVLOs and other sexual violence practitioners across the Higher Education sector, and will include sessions designed to support policy and practice in the area of sexual misconduct at university.

We’re also excited to be presenting once again our coveted LimeLight Awards, recognising the exceptional and outstanding achievements of SVLOs and SVLO services across the university sector (more below!).

Have your say

To ensure the programme is as exciting and relevant as possible, please do tell us what topics you’d like to see covered here – the survey will close at 5pm on Friday 23 June.

Secure your place

Visit our SVLO Conference page to book your place or find out more.

The conference will be relevant for trained SVLOs/SVMLOs, and any university/Higher Education professional interested or involved in the prevention of and response to sexual misconduct affecting students and staff, such as student services and wellbeing staff, those responsible for relevant conduct processes, Students’ Union officers and staff, and others.

 

 

LimeLight Award Nominations Now Open!

The LimeLight Awards offer an important opportunity to recognise and celebrate the exceptional practice being delivered by professionals across the Higher Education sector in relation to sexual misconduct.

If you work with or have been supported by an inspirational SVLO/SVMLO, or are part of a great team, why not make a nomination?

There are three Award categories:

  • The Saskia Jones Award for Outstanding Achievement by a SVLO/SVMLO
  • The Award for Outstanding SVLO/SVMLO Team/Service
  • The Award for Inspirational SVLO/SVMLO Manager/Lead

Anyone can nominate an individual or a team for a LimeLight Award – all you have to do is complete the nomination form.

Nominations must be received by 5pm on Friday 1 September 2023.

Find out more and download the LimeLight Awards nominations guidance here