The India Protocol safeguarding initiative is our core and priority mission in Cheltenham's night-time economy. Utilising a proactive "approach, ascertain and assist" method, the India Protocol is responsible for helping to safeguard thousands of vulnerable women in Cheltenham at night.

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India Chipchase was coerced away from outside of a nightclub in Northampton in 2016 before her life was tragically taken. India was failed that fateful night as many opportunities were missed that could have identified there was a coercion event underway.

 

India's murder was a turning point for Cheltenham Guardians who in 2016 were already prioritising the safeguarding of lone females at night. It became clear to our team that our female safeguarding delivery had to adopt an even more targeted, proactive and robust approach. And so the India Protocol was born - now the most proactive female safeguarding initiative in any night-time economy in the United Kingdom today.

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Utilising the India Protocol over 30% of our service users are identified before they themselves have approached us for assistance. This proactive engagement of women in the night-time economy ensures more aggressive identification of developing issues therefore reducing the chances of escalation.