Finalists Revealed for Combatting Violence Against Women and Girls Award

Finalists Revealed for Combatting Violence Against Women and Girls Award

Three remarkable women who are making communities safer, supporting survivors and driving change across the South West have been named finalists in the 2026 West Country Women Awards.

The finalists in the Combatting Violence Against Women and Girls category were announced at a special event held at Powderham Castle, where nominees, supporters and partners gathered to celebrate the women leading the way in tackling one of society's most important issues.

The award recognises individuals whose work is helping to prevent violence against women and girls, challenge harmful attitudes and behaviours, support survivors, and empower women and girls to live safer, more confident lives.

The Combatting Violence Against Women and Girls Award is sponsored by the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner for Devon, Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly. Tackling violence against women and girls is a key priority within the Police and Crime Plan 2025-2029, with the Commissioner investing in services and initiatives that support victims, improve prevention and challenge harmful behaviours. The award also supports the aims of the OPCC's Disruptive Violence Against Women and Girls Programme, which brings together partners from across Devon, Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly to develop innovative approaches to prevention, education, perpetrator disruption and cultural change. Through education, advocacy, prevention and recovery services, this year's finalists demonstrate the wide-ranging impact of local action in tackling violence against women and girls.

This year's finalists are:

Sherilee Rollinson

Founder, Empower Core Programs CIC

Sherilee Rollinson has dedicated her work to empowering women and girls through self-defence, confidence-building and personal safety education.

Through Empower Core Programs CIC, she delivers workshops and courses designed to help women and girls recognise their own strength, set boundaries and develop practical skills to protect themselves. Working alongside community partners, including Devon & Cornwall Police, Sherilee has also helped ensure survivors of crime, domestic abuse and financial hardship can access support through funded and free places.

Over the past two years, she has expanded her programmes into schools across Devon and Cornwall, equipping young girls with confidence, resilience and life-long safety skills at a crucial stage in their development.

Lucy Rhodes

Lead Youth Work Practitioner, SPACE Youth Services

Lucy Rhodes has become a powerful advocate for changing attitudes towards women and girls through her work leading the innovative "Is This Okay?" programme at SPACE Youth Services.

Working with schools across Devon, Lucy supports young people most at risk of experiencing or displaying harmful sexual behaviours, while helping schools address misogyny, sexual harassment and the growing influence of online misogynistic content.

Her youth-led approach has given hundreds of young people a voice, influenced local decision-making and helped create safer school and community environments. Through education, advocacy and early intervention, Lucy is helping to build a future where harmful behaviours are challenged rather than accepted.

Claire Knight

Founder and CEO, Phoenix Rising New Beginnings CIO

Claire Knight founded Phoenix Rising New Beginnings after recognising a significant gap in long-term recovery support for survivors of domestic abuse.

Drawing on both professional and personal experience, Claire created a service dedicated to helping women rebuild confidence, heal from trauma and break the cycle of abuse. The organisation now provides recovery programmes, counselling, wellbeing activities, peer support groups and specialist courses for women recovering from domestic and sexual abuse.

In recent years, Phoenix Rising has expanded significantly, securing National Lottery funding, becoming a registered charity and supporting increasing numbers of women across Devon and beyond. Claire's work continues to transform lives by helping survivors move forward with confidence, strength and hope.

Celebrating Women Creating Safer Communities

The standard of nominations within the category was exceptionally high, reflecting the dedication of women across the South West who are working tirelessly to tackle violence against women and girls in different ways.

From empowering women with practical self-defence skills, to challenging harmful behaviours among young people, and helping survivors recover from abuse, this year's finalists demonstrate the power of education, prevention, advocacy and support.

The three finalists will now progress to the West Country Women Awards Grand Final in November, where the winner of the Combatting Violence Against Women and Girls Award will be announced.

The West Country Women Awards were created to celebrate and recognise the incredible women making a difference across Cornwall, Devon, Somerset and the wider South West. What began as an awards programme has grown into a year-round community that supports women through networking, training, events, partnerships and community initiatives.

Alison Hernandez, Police and Crime Commissioner for Devon, Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly, said: 

 "These finalists demonstrate the many ways individuals and organisations can make a real difference to protect people and help them recover from their abusers. Through education, advocacy, empowerment and support, they are helping to create safer communities and improve the lives of women and girls across the South West."

Congratulations to Sherilee Rollinson, Lucy Rhodes and Claire Knight on reaching the final three.