Kent's newest High Sheriff, Kathrin Smallwood, spoke today of her commitment to the role and her focus on reducing domestic violence and helping victims.

Mrs Smallwood expressed her delight at being asked to fill the role, describing it as an "honour" and said it was "completely different" to anything she's done before.

The duties of a High Sheriff centre around supporting the Crown and the judiciary, and they are each expected to actively support and encourage crime prevention agencies, the emergency services and the voluntary sector.

While many previous High Sheriffs have focused their efforts on young offenders, Mrs Smallwood says she is highlighting family issues and domestic abuse.

Mrs Smallwood said: "There are so many small charities within Kent that are working on this [domestic abuse] that I think they need a little help and we need to accept them and maybe help them as well.

VIDEO: Kent's newest High Sheriff talks about her time in the role so far.

"I think we need to make it easier for somebody who is being abused to find out how to go and get them. "I want to make it easier for these women or men to get in contact with someone to be able to help them or listen to them.

"They don't need to leave their house if they can just use a phone, but use a phone without having to pay on a free number - anything that will help to get them out of their dreadful situations."

If anybody would like help with family and domestic abuse issues they can email the High Sheriff at ks@kenthighsheriff.co.uk

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