Cypriot child exploitation prevention coordinator to receive British Empire Medal

London, Britain. Cypriot Andri Nicolaou, a civilian staff member at Avon and Somerset Police, is set to receive a British Empire Medal from King Charles III for her work preventing and tackling the exploitation of minors.

She has worked for the force since 2004 and has served for the past eight years as an officer and coordinator for child exploitation prevention.

Awareness and prevention work

Nicolaou has led education and awareness initiatives for children, parents, carers and professionals on sexual and criminal exploitation, sexual abuse, human trafficking, drug dealing through so-called “county lines”, violence against women and girls, knife crime and online safety.

In one year, she delivered awareness sessions to more than 21,000 children, parents, carers and professionals.

Originally from Cyprus, Nicolaou moved to Britain in 2003. Her work developing initiatives to protect and inform young people has been recognised nationally as an example of good practice.

She has also led child exploitation awareness sessions involving dozens of boys and girls and briefs all newly recruited police officers and Police Community Support Officers.

Response to the award

Nicolaou said she had not expected the recognition and was surprised that someone had nominated her.

She said she hoped the award would further highlight her work and increase public awareness of child exploitation and how it can be prevented.

“My main commitment is to help young people and be there for them,” she said.

Nicolaou also highlighted online risks, saying grooming can occur quickly and in ways that are difficult to detect, leading to exploitation both online and offline.