Moving Away from Gangs: A Gendered Approach Lisa Bellis, Senior Programmes Manager Nicky Hill, Senior Programmes Manager
Why is gang-exit important? Young people need options to exit Whole spectrum of interventions Co-ordinated responses reduce risk and harm
What Policy Tells Us Ending Gang and Youth Violence: a Cross- Government Report “For young people deeply entrenched in a gang lifestyle, radical measures may be needed to move them and their families away from the gang environment altogether. In some cases, where there is an immediate threat to life this may need to happen very quickly.”
The Challenges Limitations of local commissioning Cross-borough and partnership working Viable alternatives for young women
The Response: Safe & Secure transformational support housing pathways willing to leave the gang behind A transformational support programme that includes housing pathways for those at serious and imminent risk of gang-related violence and who are willing to leave the gang behind Safe and Secure has been built on the good practice of SERVE in Southwark
Cross-borough gang exit programme, working in 16 boroughs Working with those at serious and imminent risk of gang related harm to relocate to a place of safety and exit gang life for good Builds on local partnerships and knowledge Uses a bespoke housing pathway to allow for pan-London resettlement Incorporates a challenging transformational change programme Risk assessment, management, joint work and communication are key
The Response: Empower reduce risk factors increasing protective factors A support programme offering practical and emotional support to reduce risk factors in the lives of young people whilst increasing protective factors strengths resilience embedded A strengths and resilience based framework with staff embedded in local multi-agency teams
6-stranded programme for young people experiencing sexual violence or exploitation 1)Young women’s intensive 1:1 support 2)Specialist advice & case consultation 3)Young women’s group education programme 4)Young men’s group education programme 5)Parents and foster carers workshops 6)Professionals training and events
A Gendered Response: The needs of young women and girls Safeguarding young women is the priority Gender proofed services Appropriate assessment tools Child centred advocacy approach Healthy relationship education to allow young women to make informed choices Safe spaces with workers who are confident to talk about the issues Focus on their rights, safety planning, support networks, coping strategies, self worth & exit strategies
A Gendered Response: The needs of young men and boys Gap in service provision for young men to challenge attitudes Young women we work with tell us boys need to learn about sexual consent Avoid victim blaming and focus on healthy relationships Dangerous to place responsibility on young women – young men are part of the solution Provide a safe space and support young men to develop the language to have these conversations Challenge gender stereotypes - explore masculinity Respond to vulnerability and safeguard young men
Illustrative Case Study
Next Steps Specialist and gender based services Development of effective partnerships Strategic and operational buy in Shared strategy & vision Multi-agency approach with clear information & intelligence sharing protocols Consideration of cross border issues and challenges A clear local training strategy
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