A VOLUNTEER at the Borders Rape Crisis centre has been named as the 2019 Violence Against Women award winner.

Corrinne Johnston has been a regular at the help centre for five years.

Her free complimentary therapy and mediation classes for survivors of rape are hugely beneficial.

Corrine was nominated for her dedication and as a way of acknowledging how much her contribution to supporting survivors and the work of Scottish Borders Rape Crisis is appreciated and valued.

Louise MacLennan, chair of Violence Against Women, told us: “Corrinne has amply demonstrated her commitment and is indeed a very worthy winner.

"My personal thanks and gratitude goes out to her for her dedication and hard work.

"The Violence Against Women award is supported by all our partners working to tackle violence against women and children in the Scottish Borders.

"I am personally very grateful to Thomson’s Solicitors for their support and for sponsoring this year’s award.

“I would also like to extend my huge thanks to all those services and individuals across the Scottish Borders who are continually working hard to tackle violence and abuse."

The award, which is supported by the Scottish Borders Safer Communities Team, was presented at a ceremony in Newtown St Boswells last week.

Councillor George Turnbull, executive member for Community Safety, added: “I would like to add my thanks and appreciation to Corrinne for all the support she has provided to women from across the Borders at such a vulnerable time in their lives.

"Overall she has provided hundreds of therapy sessions, and we are extremely grateful for the contribution she continues to make.”

The award was developed to recognise the commitment and excellent work of people in communities across the Borders who are making a significant contribution to addressing violence against women and girls.

This is the third year that the award has been made.

Last year it was presented to the CEDAR (Children Experiencing Domestic Abuse Recovery) Mums’ Group who had successfully completed the therapeutic psycho-educational programme, which takes place over 12 weeks with groups for children and young people, and their mothers running in parallel.