Posted on: 26 November, 2020
Written by Clare Maryan, alongside the contribution by Lisa Ignoscia.
In the third part of our series, which puts the spotlight on a Cranstoun employee working to support the end of gender-based violence, is Lisa Ignoscia.
Lisa Ignoscia, Cranstoun’s service manager at our Worcestershire Drive service, joined Cranstoun in July 2018. Lisa is on secondment from West Mercia Police where she has worked for the last 20 years. She started as an apprentice and became a police officer at the age of 19. To be on the front line responding to all types of calls, including domestic abuse, was for a short period but it has had a lasting effect on how Lisa’s career developed to focus on supporting those who are vulnerable or potentially vulnerable.
From call taker to radio dispatcher to control room supervisor, she was managing risk and prioritising the 999 calls. In the control room, Lisa’s part ended when the police arrived at the incident. This was particularly hard for Lisa with the domestic abuse responses, as she didn’t know what support was offered after the incident. Lisa’s motivation to help people and to keep them safe was the driver behind the move from control room to the world of safeguarding, including a role in the harm assessment unit. In this new role, Lisa was able to take an holistic, supportive approach to safeguarding lives.
Keen to do more to increase the safety of women, Lisa worked with colleagues including Police Detective Inspector Emma Whitworth, assisting with some of the work between West Mercia Police and the Drive central team in readiness for the Worcestershire Drive procurement opportunity. From there it was a simple step into her current role at Cranstoun.
At Cranstoun’s Worcestershire Drive service, Lisa has brought her talents to build and manage a highly motivated team and ensure victim safety is at the heart of it. By working directly with perpetrators and having regular liaison with the IDVA service, Lisa and her team are delivering on victim safety on a daily basis. She also brings her experience and skills to the current mobilisation into Cranstoun’s new Herefordshire Drive service. Lisa has made an impact for sure and stresses the importance of raising awareness on this hidden crime that has only recently started to reach the public arena. So what does the 16 days of activism mean for Lisa?
“An average of two women being killed a week by someone who is meant to love and cherish them is not right. We need to be doing all we can to stop this from happening by ending domestic abuse. Domestic abuse is often deemed a silent crime that happens behind closed doors. People often do not feel it is their business to get involved as it is a private matter, and victims are often scared and embarrassed to speak out that this is happening to them. This is why the 16 Days of Activism is important to me as it encourages people to talk and think about gender-based violence and what they can do to help to reduce it and end it. It could be happening to a member of your family, a friend, a colleague or neighbour and by highlighting gender-based violence it reminds people to really look for the signs.”