Hundreds of our students took part in a powerful week of interactive workshops aimed at raising awareness around Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG) and promoting personal safety.
Organised by the college’s Enrichment team and held between October 13 and 17 across five campuses, the initiative featured 25 in-person sessions and a series of online webinars. Topics included domestic abuse, discrimination, joint enterprise, drugs, knife crime, bullying, and harassment - all designed to spark vital conversations and equip students with the tools to recognise and respond to abusive or manipulative behaviour.
Delivered in partnership with Nottinghamshire Police, the sessions were supported by expert officers and safeguarding professionals, helping to create a safe and inclusive learning environment.
In addition, information stalls were set up across campuses throughout the week, featuring organisations such as CGL, Notts SVSS, and Imara. Our college Safeguarding team also hosted a ‘Let’s Talk About Safety’ lunchtime focus group at each campus, providing students with an opportunity to share their views on safety within our college community.
Rebecca Butcher, Nottingham College’s Assistant Principal for Student Support, said:
“At Nottingham College, we’re proud to support our students not just academically, but in developing the life skills they need to thrive. Empowering YOUR Safety Week is about more than awareness - it’s about building confidence and resilience through open, honest conversations.”
The initiative reflects the college’s commitment to student wellbeing and its proactive approach to safeguarding. Nottinghamshire Police’s involvement brought real-world insights and survivor stories to life, reinforcing the importance of early intervention and education.
Barbara Strang, Citizens in Policing Coordinator at Nottinghamshire Police, added:
“We know from national data that young people are likely to have experienced domestic abuse in some form – either by knowing a victim or having been one themselves.
Prevention and early intervention are about education, and it is therefore vitally important that we have open and transparent conversations about domestic abuse, harassment, and sexual assault.
“These sessions equip young people with the skills and knowledge to recognise patterns of behaviour which are not acceptable so that they feel comfortable to confront it or seek support.
“I would like to extend my thanks to Nottingham College for their ongoing support, who have committed to delivering the sessions to more than 8,000 students during the academic year.”
