A woman has been named as one of the bravest in Britain through her work to safeguard young people from child abusers.

Shy Keenan, 39, of Colchester, was voted among the country's top eight bravest women in a competition run by Best magazine.

Using her knowledge - Shy Keenan, voted among the country's top bravest women. Picture: STEVE BRADING

She has recently got Government backing to develop a programme to stop known child abusers reoffending through a hi-tech tagging system.

The bravery award was given to her because she had experience of an abusive relationship when she was younger and now wants to use her knowledge to make sure children are kept safe.

But she was amazed when she found out she had been nominated for the award as she didn't see what she had done as brave.

She said: "I was astonished as I don't think I'm brave. You are brave when you are doing something you are not expected to do.

"I have survived and have come to terms with what happened to me in my own way."

She said her prize was a day of pampering at a top health spa. Among her fellow bravery award winners was Sally Dowler, the mother of murdered schoolgirl Milly Dowler.

Published Monday, December 16, 2002

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