Youth sexual violence prevention project WASSUP shortlisted for British Red Cross Humanitarian Award

Women Against Sexual exploitation and violence Speak UP (WASSUP), our Ipswich-based youth volunteer project, has been shortlisted for a British Red Cross Humanitarian Award.

The project has been shortlisted for the ‘community action’ category. A representative from the project will be invited to attend an award ceremony at the Palace of Westminster in November, where the winners will be announced.

The aim of the WASSUP project is to offer vulnerable young people at risk of, or affected by, sexual exploitation with the support they need to access safe pathways and recover from their experiences.

The project delivers workshops in schools and other settings to raise awareness of the early warning signs of exploitation. WASSUP is multi-cultural and aims to be accessible for young people who speak English as a second language.

Tonia Wilson, project manager for WASSUP, said: “I’m delighted that WASSUP has been shortlisted for a Red Cross humanitarian award. The effects of sexual exploitation and violence can be severe and long-lasting.

It’s crucial that young people are educated on these issues so that they know how to spot the early warning signs of exploitation, and where they can access support if they are at risk of, or affected by, sexual exploitation or violence.”