Cypriot Andri Nicolaou is set to receive a prestigious honour linked to King Charles in recognition of her work in child abuse prevention and tackling the exploitation of minors in Britain.
Nicolaou, who has lived and worked in the UK since 2003, told SIGMA’s Protoselido programme that she learned of the distinction through an official letter from the Palace.
Asked whether she had expected the recognition, she replied: “Not at all. I still can’t believe it.”
She said she had been nominated by the chief of the police force in Bristol, where she works as a civilian member of staff.
Warning over risks to children online
Nicolaou highlighted the dangers children face online, warning that parents should not assume their children are safe simply because they are at home.
“Parents need to understand that their children are no longer safe in their own homes,” she said.
Her work involves both preventing abuse and finding ways to reach children who have experienced it, particularly those who find it difficult to speak to police.
“We have to find ways to approach children. The police are not the only way to reach them,” she said.
Nicolaou revealed that for the past 18 months she has visited an abused girl every week. Only recently, for the first time, did the girl allow her into her bedroom and let her sit on her bed.
Her work has now been incorporated into the College of Policing, allowing the approach to be adopted by other police forces.
‘There are cases you never forget’
Nicolaou also spoke about the psychological toll of working with abused and exploited children.
“There are cases I will take to my grave. You never forget them,” she said.
Her recognition will initially take place in Bristol, where she will receive the honour from the Lord-Lieutenant, the King’s representative.
She is later expected to travel to Buckingham Palace for the official ceremony.
Also read: Back to school brings traffic chaos to the roads
For more videos and updates, check out our YouTube channel
