Jo Keogh was recognised in the Queen’s honours list at the weekend
Community leaders have praised a police worker who was awarded an MBE for her work dedicated to helping victims of domestic violence.
Jo Keogh, Metropolitan Police Kingston Crisis Intervention and Risk Manager, previously worked for Women’s Aid and coordinated its London Helpline.
She was the coordinator of North Kensington Women’s Aid then Kingston Women’s Aid, before working with Kingston Police to set up the One Stop Shop, a service helping domestic abuse victims with legal, housing and safety needs.
Leigh Whitehouse, Chair of the Safer Kingston Partnership, said the honour was well deserved.
“Jo has been one of the key driving forces for many years behind work in this borough to protect and support survivors of domestic abuse,” he said.
“Her dedication to working with survivors and their families, from the moment of crisis through to the ongoing empowerment programmes that she has developed, not only significantly reduces risks to victims but helps them to rebuild their lives after the abuse.”
In 2004 Jo joined the Metropolitan police service (MPS) full time as a Crisis Intervention worker, providing support to victims of domestic violence.
The One Stop Shop was visited by almost 700 women and men last year, a and the response has been so positive that it is being introduced across he MPS.
Jo also runs two empowerment programmes for women, helping them to get free and stay free from domestic abuse.
“The Wednesday’s Women groups over the years have been amazing, I am in complete awe of every single woman that has attended,” she said.
Their strength, courage, resilience and humour in the face of such dire circumstances is what has given me the inspiration to keep working on their behalf.”
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