MAV Scoops Policing Award
MAV's groundbreaking education programme has been recognised by the Scottish Policing Awards.
The programme, designed to educate school pupils about the dangers of getting involved in violence, has been running in schools across Strathclyde for nearly a year.
Founders Dr Christine Goodall, Mark Devlin and David Koppel were recognised for their outstanding contribution to Criminal Justice and Tackling Crime through the programme.
Dr Goodall said:
"We are delighted to be recognised in this way. For MAV, violence is not just a justice issue, it's a health issue: we see the outcome of violence every single day of our working lives.
"The Violence Reduction Unit and Strathclyde Police have been hugely supportive of our work. It's still early days, but if our message makes just one youngster think twice about carrying a weapon, it will be worth it."
The award also recognised the work of Campus Police Officer PC Geoff Smith in advising MAV and helping them test the programme before it was rolled out to schools across Strathclyde.
PC Smith said:
"MAV's programme is invaluable. Pupils get lots of information about the risks surrounding violence from teachers and campus officers, but to have medics who have seen first hand the physical and mental scars violence can inflict coming in to schools to speak about their experiences really gets the message home that carrying a weapon is not a good idea.
"It's an honour to receive this award alongside them."
MAV were nominated for the award by Violence Reduction Unit Deputy Head Karyn McCluskey.
Karyn said:
"Christine, Mark, David and their colleagues have been working with us voluntarily for the past four years through a range of different projects. Medics Against Violence is just the latest initiative in their extraordinary effort to support Scotland in its aim to drive down violence. Their dedication and effort, and that of PC Smith, has been immense and I feel privileged to work with them."