A WOMAN who is passionate about changing the lives of women and children impacted by domestic violence has been awarded an MBE.

Rebecca Rogerson, 60, from Yarm, director of charity My Sisters Place and Wearside Women in Need, has been honoured for services to victims of domestic violence.

Ms Rogerson has been described as having played a pivotal role in influencing the response to women and children experiencing domestic abuse and will leave a lasting legacy for domestic abuse services both locally and nationally.

She gave Middlesbrough charity My Sisters Place national presence, making brave strategic decisions, showcasing innovative approaches to tackling domestic abuse and speaking out for the needs of vulnerable women.

She is a Winston Churchill Fellow and attended a Foreign Office visit to China presenting on the Domestic Violence and Human Rights Expert Panel.

Her most recent and significant achievement has been contributing to the development of Change that Lasts model, a needs-led, strength based, trauma informed approach to domestic abuse implemented nationally by Women’s Aid.

She identified a significant gap in provision for high risk domestic abuse cases understanding that women’s needs and perpetrator management were key to change or risk reduction.

She made a bold decision to put forward a pilot scheme in Middlesbrough evidencing the importance of recognising need and risk.

She engaged in all aspects of the pilot scheme, worked outside of her role, in her own time, evidencing the impact of the scheme and supporting development of a new model. In 2015 she established a men’s perpetrator service ‘Route2’ a new approach and a much needed service to engage men in changing behaviour.

Route 2 informed national models of work. She supported the National Advisory Group (2017) informing the ‘Drive’ project led by SafeLives and RESPECT.

Within My Sisters Place she has offered strong unassuming leadership, mentoring staff and volunteers, empowering individual development, to strengthen the charity.

Over 6000 women in Middlesbrough have received potentially life-saving support as a result of her care, dedication and drive.