Teams in Sussex are leading the way in protecting women and girls
Operation Limelight focuses on raising awareness of harmful practices and safeguarding potential victims of crimes
Sussex Police now run both the most successful and largest operation nationally in protecting women and girls against harmful practices.
Taking a multi-agency approach (Sussex Police, Border Force, Social Services, experts and specialist support organisations) safeguards potential victims of crimes, such as forced marriage, breast flattening and female genital mutilation/cutting (FGM/C).
The operation sees the team speaking with passengers who may be travelling to countries with a high prevalence of FGM/C and providing support and advice surrounding these harmful practices.
During school holidays, children and young adults can be sent abroad to their native countries to be married to someone chosen for them by their family without their consent or to undergo a harmful practice.
Sussex Police have specialist staff and officers who have been trained to increase awareness and understand these hidden harms so that they can build trust and confidence with the public and especially those at risk of harmful practices.
Their goal is to raise awareness and provide women and girls with reassurance that should they need it, help and safety is available.
Tackling violence against women and girls in any form is a priority for Sussex Police and this project works towards improving the lives of women and girls affected by violence.