Devon finalists revealed for Combating Violence Against Women and Girls Award

The tireless work being done across Devon, Cornwall and beyond to make communities safer for women and girls has taken centre stage in this year’s West Country Women’s Awards.

Now in its fourth year, the Combating Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG) category is once again sponsored by Police and Crime Commissioner Alison Hernandez, who has made tackling VAWG one of her key priorities. The award is among 20 categories celebrating exceptional women making a difference across the region.

The finalists were announced during an afternoon tea at Powderham Castle, near Exeter, where guests heard stories of courage, innovation and compassion from nominees across the West Country. This year’s Combating VAWG category saw a record number of nominations, highlighting the growing movement of women determined to make change.

Awards director Alexis Bowater OBE said: “We’ve heard thousands of stories of courage, innovation and compassion from women across the West Country, and every single one deserves recognition. Our finalists are extraordinary: each one making waves in her own field, and together they show just how strong, creative and innovative our region is.”

Commissioner Alison Hernandez added: “Congratulations to the inspiring finalists not just in our category but across all the categories. It was extremely difficult choosing our four finalists because the calibre of nominees was so high this year.

“It is reassuring to hear how many incredible women are going above and beyond to tackle VAWG which is one of my key priorities. No woman should have to live their lives in fear of becoming a victim. I look forward to presenting the Combating Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG) award at the finals next month.”

The four outstanding finalists, each with deep ties to the South West, will attend a Grand Final Gala Dinner at the Crowne Plaza in Plymouth on November 28, where the winners will be revealed.

The Finalists

Sue Penna – CEO and Founder, Rock Pool Life C.I.C (Brixham)
For nearly 30 years, Sue has worked to support women affected by violence and abuse. After leaving the NHS to challenge how trauma was being medicalised and stigmatised, she founded Rock Pool, a Brixham-based social enterprise delivering trauma-informed training across the UK.
Sue’s work includes developing the Domestic Abuse Recovery Toolkit, used nationally to help survivors rebuild their lives. In 2024, she also founded a women’s theatre collective, raising funds and awareness through productions of The Vagina Monologues.

Sue said: “I’m still fighting because there has just not been enough change in 30 years, and the same number of women and children are being murdered every year.
I think I may have been nominated for the award due to my persistence and the recognition that I have spent over half my life championing women’s rights... This has been my life’s work so far and I imagine it will continue to be.”

Rebecca Hewitt – Chair, South Devon and Dartmoor Community Safety Partnership (CSP) and Teignbridge District Council
A leading figure in community safety for 28 years, Rebecca has spearheaded projects across Teignbridge to make communities safer for women and girls.
She helped secure over £300,000 in funding to support local youth organisations and combat misogyny, led the Let’s Talk programme to empower parents and carers, and introduced Community Protection Warnings that have successfully curbed antisocial and predatory behaviour across the region.

Rebecca said: “I have led work on tackling gangs and the impact of the young women within these, informing parents about safeguarding risks and addressing behaviours of our young people to create a long-term cultural change.
My passion is that we need to bring together the whole community to work at the earliest possible opportunity to create lasting change and stop women and girls being harmed.”

Lucy Rhodes – Lead Youth Work Practitioner, Space Youth Services (Devon)
Lucy has spent over 15 years supporting young people across Devon. Through her specialist “Is This Okay?” programme, she’s tackling harmful sexual behaviour and promoting respectful relationships in schools.
The project has already reached more than 297 young people, with plans to expand to 19 more schools, potentially supporting 380 additional students. Her work has also led to real-world changes in public safety and design, from town centres to nightlife venues.

Lucy said: “I am committed to addressing the root causes of gender-based violence through early, evidence-informed intervention.
I’ve seen first-hand how young people can grow when they are given the right tools and guidance... It is important to shine a light on the importance of early, education-based approaches in the fight against violence towards women and girls.”

Mel Sevieri – Former Community Fundraiser, Trevi (Plymouth)
A survivor of abuse, Mel has dedicated her life to ending VAWG. Despite living with chronic fatigue syndrome, she has raised over £10,000 for women’s charities, organised protests and events across Plymouth, and revived the city’s Reclaim the Night march after a seven-year break, drawing more than 500 participants.
Her advocacy and public speaking continue to amplify the voices of survivors across the South West.

Mel said: “Living with a debilitating disability was never going to be easy, but it drives me to accomplish far more than I likely would have without it because I’m acutely aware of how precious my time is to dedicate to this cause. This issue will only end if we all fight it together.”

The West Country Women’s Awards 2025 will take place on November 28 in Plymouth, celebrating the strength, resilience and compassion of women across Devon, Cornwall, Somerset and Dorset.