Jo Todd, CEO of Respect, has received a CBE in recognition of her services to victims of domestic abuse over 30 years.
Starting out in survivor-support organisations, she later shifted her focus to addressing the root cause of domestic abuse: perpetrators.
As a result she was among founder members of an organisation around the year 2000 which became Respect. Once it was established, she became CEO and has held the post for 22 years.
Looking back on the early days, Todd said: “I felt strongly that any work with perpetrators needed to have survivors and their safety at its core, and that ethos runs through Respect and our work like a stick of rock.
“Respect was set up to put perpetrators in the spotlight both in terms of individual accountability and public policy, as well as ensuring those delivering perpetrator work are supported to deliver safe and effective work.”
These days Respect also works with male victims and young people who use violence, as well as perpetrators of domestic abuse.
