The South Yorkshire Violence Reduction Unit (VRU) and Police and Crime Commissioner, Dr Alan Billings, have supported an event hosted by In2Change South Yorkshire.
In2Change is a not-for-profit organisation which aims to prevent young people and ex-offenders from engaging in or remaining involved in criminality. Working with ex-offenders and serving prisoners, In2Change delivers targeted interventions to accomplish this objective.
The organisation has previously received funding from the VRU to deliver a course to young people through weekly groups and 1:1 sessions to educate them on what constitutes domestic abuse and sexual harassment, how to spot the signs of abuse/harassment, and who to turn to for help if they or someone they know is a victim of domestic abuse.
The recent event was entitled “Supporting Young People – Creating Safer Communities” What’s new, What works, Building Pathways to Positive Futures, and focused on the work In2Change currently does, and their plans for future projects.
Graham Jones, Head of the South Yorkshire Violence Reduction Unit said: “In2Change does important work, aiming to prevent people from becoming involved in criminality and steering them towards healthier choices. This supports our aim of preventing and reducing violence in South Yorkshire.
“I’m pleased that the VRU has been able to work with In2Change previously, and that we could attend this event to hear more about their current initiatives and their plans for the future.”
Dr Alan Billings, South Yorkshire Police and Crime Commissioner said: “As Police and Crime Commissioner, one of my priorities is protecting vulnerable people. This does not just mean protecting victims of crime or those vulnerable to exploitation, but also supporting those at risk of becoming engaged in criminality to make different choices.
“Young people and ex-offenders can be particularly vulnerable to becoming involved in crime, and targeted early interventions are vital to prevent this from happening.
“This goes beyond actions which can be taken by the police and other statutory bodies, and includes the valuable work of South Yorkshire charities and voluntary organisations such as In2Change; I’m pleased that I could visit their centre to hear more about their work.”
