The harrowing childhood memory of a murder near the home of a Nottinghamshire 'legend' inspired her to tackle domestic abuse and sexual violence for three decades. Jane Lewis was only a youngster when a man murdered his daughter in the rural village she lived in, before he also killed his wife and himself, in a crime which stunned the area in the 1970s.
Almost 50 years since this formative moment in her life, Jane is currently the Domestic and Sexual Violence and Abuse Lead for Nottingham City Council, working to prevent domestic abuse. As a mark of her efforts, Jane recently received a special Preventing Award in Police and Crime Commissioner Caroline Henry’s dedicated section of the Nottinghamshire Police Force Awards.
After receiving the award, Jane explained she thought huge strides had been made. “To be honest, I was taken aback when presented the award by Commissioner Henry,” she said.
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“I’ve worked for the city council for more than 20 years, and prior to that I worked in the sector for 10 years so it’s been pretty much my entire working life. I have seen huge change in that time from having to argue that domestic abuse was a thing which was worth targeting and why it was important.
“In the early days I had to explain why the statutory sector should take it seriously right across from the police, social care and in health. We’re in a position now where even recently there has been a national violence against women and girls audit done by the Police, recognising that there is more work to be done in the area.
“During my working life it has been incredible to see the changes, and organisations like Equation, Juno Women’s Aid and Nottinghamshire Sexual Violence Support Services (NSVSS), as well as the refuges who have people like me that have worked for so long in campaigning for improvements.”
Jane has previously volunteered for Women’s Aid and answered calls on a domestic abuse helpline. Now working closely with the PCC in her current role, she believes the future is bright with more people taking domestic abuse crimes seriously.
As part of Commissioner Henry’s Violence Against Women and Girls project, £3.5 million was invested in initiatives to tackle the subject in 2022-23, with this funding set to increase to around £4 million in 2023-24.
Almost every day, Jane is given a reminder as to how important the role she does is, as well as the impact she can have on people. “As soon as you start hearing survivors' stories and seeing the impact it has on children, it’s hugely motivating because you hear such horrible things and you want it to be different”, she says.
It was announced recently that the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner for Nottinghamshire will receive more than £650,000 from the Home Office for a new early awareness initiative aimed at first-time domestic abuse offenders.
It will also pay for a range of voluntary perpetrator initiatives for men and women who are concerned about the controlling or violent behaviour within their relationships and want help to change.
Commissioner Henry presented Jane with a trophy at the ceremony at Sherwood Lodge Joint Force Headquarters in Arnold, which was held in April. She said: “It is no exaggeration to say that Jane is a legend in Nottingham and Nottinghamshire’s violence against women and girls sector. Countless women and their children have been protected from harm thanks to Jane’s hard work and I’m delighted to be able to recognise that by presenting her with this award."
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