Nottingham Fire and Rescue Service has today become members of the Consent Coalition.

Timed with the beginning of Sexual Abuse and Sexual Violence Awareness Week, the announcement involved the display of two fire service vehicles, wrapped in the Safe Space Pledge, on Nottingham’s Old Market Square.  The pledge outlines eight steps that can be taken to improve the safety of women and girls.  It includes offering a non-judgemental space where women can feel safe and not tolerating harmful language, behaviours or attitudes.

Firefighters are often in Nottingham city centre at night after responding to calls or through other Prevention and Protection work and may come across vulnerable people.  The service are committed to training staff on the Coalition’s work and how to encourage victims-survivors to access support and report.

Chief Fire Officer Craig Parkin said: “We are committed to taking a zero-tolerance stance against sexual violence and abuse and we will work with our partners to give survivors support and educate people around the importance of consent.

“We look forward to working with other Coalition partners to raise awareness of these important topics and keep our communities safe from violence and abuse.”

Karen Jardine, Campaigns and Communications Officer at Notts SVSS, speaking on behalf of the Consent Coalition said “We are really pleased that Nottinghamshire Fire and Rescue Service have joined the Consent Coalition and are also supporting the Safe Space Pledge.  The Nottinghamshire Fire and Rescue Service are well respected in the community and see people often when they are at their most vulnerable.  The fact that this service has joined us, is training colleagues on how to direct survivors to support and is making such a visual stand against sexual violence is a positive move for Nottinghamshire.  We are proud to have them on board.”