Hampshire police sergeant Deborah Ashthorpe is awarded Queen's Police Medal in Birthday Honours for domestic violence work

Sgt Deborah Ashthorpe, who has been awarded a Queens Police Medal

Sergeant Deborah Ashthorpe has been awarded a Queen’s Police Medal, after being nominated for her commitment to providing excellent services to victims of domestic abuse in Hampshire.

Sgt Ashthorpe helped to launch Conditional Cautioning and Relationship Abuse (Cara) champions, an evidence-based programme to statistically change perpetrator behaviour, reducing risk and repeat offending. She worked with the Crown Prosecution Service and domestic abuse charities and academics to evaluate the Cara programme which has gone on to inform public policy change in this area.

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As well raising investigative standards in domestic abuse incidents, Sgt Ashthorpe’s knowledge and experience helped play a key role in training operational teams in Hampshire Constabulary. She has also worked with a domestic abuse charity, Aurora New Dawn, to introduce Domestic Violence Advocate Cars – where police and experts jointly respond to domestic abuse calls in order to give a holistic victim response.

She has trained 450 constabulary staff as domestic abuse champions, and has developed and led the national domestic abuse champions network.

Sgt Ashthorpe, 51, who joined Hampshire Constabulary in 1992, said: ‘I am surprised, pleased and proud all at the same time to receive the Queen’s Policing Medal.

‘I am just as passionate and motivated as I was 20 years ago in providing the best service possible and support to those who have been a victim of domestic abuse. This moment reflects, and is a tribute, to the fantastic work of all the individuals that I work with on a daily basis in order to better support those affected by domestic abuse.’

Hampshire chief constable Olivia Pinkney said: ‘I am absolutely delighted to see Sgt Ashthorpe recognised in this way.

‘She has worked tirelessly to play a pivotal role in both the roll-out of domestic abuse champions both nationally and within Hampshire Constabulary. Deborah’s desire to ignite people’s passion for improving the delivery of domestic abuse services is very admirable. A truly wonderful ambassador for victims and the organisation through which that service is delivered.’