Woman given MBE for work to stop honour abuse

Suzanne Jackson said it was "an honour" to be recognised

A woman who works to protect women and girls at risk of honour-based violence has been awarded an MBE in the King's Birthday Honours List.

Suzanne Jackson, 56, has transformed the way South Yorkshire Police and other agencies deal with forced marriage and female genital mutilation (FGM).

A domestic abuse risk assessor manager for the force, she said it was "such an honour" to be recognised.

In 2014, she secured the first Force Marriage Protection Order (FMPO) for a woman at risk of suicide and in 2018 the first for a man in the UK.

In that same year, she also led the first successful forced marriage repatriation for the force - a British born teenage girl who had been taken to Pakistan for a forced marriage.

A former detective inspector with more than 35 years in policing, Ms Jackson retired in 2019 but returned as a civilian to take up her current role.

Since then, she has developed a FGM risk-assessing tool to help police officers spot potential victims.

Suzanne Jackson spent 35 years serving in the police

South Yorkshire Police said much of the training she does was delivered in her own time and her "unwavering public service has changed and saved the lives of many".

A spokesperson said: "Suzanne is well known for going above and beyond in her role.

"She is at the end of the phone 24/7 every day of the year for any new FGM or forced marriage reports."

'Freed vulnerable people'

Ms Jackson said together with "the support of a fantastic team", she was extremely proud of what had been achieved.

"Together we have freed vulnerable people from harrowing abuse, forced marriages, and protected women and girls from extremely harmful FGM.

"None of this work would be possible without the strong team of people around me who dedicate their time, day and night, working behind the scenes to ensure vulnerable people are safeguarded."

Also recognised in the honours list, Janice Jinks, from Doncaster, has been given an MBE for her work as a foster carer for more than more 36 years.

The 66-year-old volunteers as the chairperson for Doncaster Foster Care Associates (DFCA) and has been recognised for her services to supporting families.

Similarly awarded an MBE, Geoffrey Mellor has been recognised for his role as chief executive of the Coal Pension Trustees and helping member receive higher increases to their pensions, in light of rising inflation.

Follow BBC Yorkshire on Facebook, X (formerly Twitter) and Instagram. Send your story ideas to [e-mail]