Excellence in Global Online Protection Awards Founder Simon Bailey explains:

“I have spent years working in this area, and have watched as the scale and threat of this crime continues to grow.

Every year I see more and more children becoming victims and the impact it has on their lives. There are some children who will never fully recover from the trauma of the abuse they have suffered.

I have created these awards to recognise and celebrate the achievements of individuals and organisations who every day are doing their very best to protect children from harm. These are dedicated individuals and organisations, without whom the problem would be even worse, and they deserve to be recognised, their achievements celebrated and publicly acknowledged.

This will be the first global award ceremony of its kind and I am looking forward to hearing more about the extraordinary work that is being done to keep children safe online.

If you know of a person or an organisation who are making a real difference  please nominate them and help us celebrate their efforts.”

 

Jahine Davis

Jahnine is the Co-founder and director of Listen Up: An organisation established to amplify the voices and experiences of racialised children. She is a care-experienced professional who started her career in children’s rights and participation and has over 20 years practice experience working in both charity and statutory sectors. Jahnine is the UK’s foremost researcher and thought leader in adultification bias in child protection and safeguarding. A specialist in the safeguarding of Black children, Jahnine’s PhD research explores safeguarding responses to Black children when harm is outside of the home. Jahnine was appointed to the Child Safeguarding Review Panel November 2021 for a period of 4 years, she is also the appointed safeguarding lead for the BBC's independent review into Tim Westwood.

“I am honoured to be on the judging panel - acknowledging the commitment and dedication of individuals and organisations working to safeguard and protect the most vulnerable children and young people. “

Asha Odedra MBE

Asha is an experienced civil servant having worked in central government departments for 16 years, specialising in the criminal justice response to violence against women and girls. Asha also supported the work of the national, and independent, Child Safeguarding Practice Review Panel as joint head of their secretariat team. Asha was awarded an MBE in 2016 for services to law and order.

“I am delighted to be involved in the inaugural ‘Excellence in Online Protection Awards’. It will be such a powerful and positive way to recognise, celebrate and promote the outstanding work happening to tackle online harms. I very much look forward to reading the entries and wish all nominees the best of luck.“

Ian Critchley QPM

Ian has 31 years policing experience working in Lancashire and then for 7 years in Merseyside, the last 2 of which as the Deputy Chief Constable (DCC). Ian was Head of Public Protection in Lancashire for four years and sat as an executive member on three Safeguarding Boards. He has extensive command experience leading investigations into Homicide, Child Sexual Abuse and significant critical firearms incidents in Merseyside. He has been the National Policing Lead for Child Protection for the last three years and since retiring as a Police Officer has continued in the role as National Lead including chairing the National Pursue Online Board with the NCA and partners. He has given evidence to the Home Affairs Select Committee, IICSA and a number of parliamentary Inquiries in relation to Child Protection and Safeguarding. He is also a member of the National Child Safeguarding Practice Review Panel.

“I am delighted to be part of the judging panel for these important inagaural awards – policing focuses increasing capabilities to target offenders who commit some of the most abhorrent offences imaginable , and support victims from the lifetime of harm and hurt online abuse and exploitation causes. However it is an increasing necessity to reward and recognize those who through their dedication , innovation , care and compassion invest their time in protecting and preventing these offences and therefore reducing the significant harm caused – I am really looking forward to viewing the submissions and recognizing this outstanding and crucial work that is and can continue to make a huge difference for the safety of children and young people. “