Supporting Gang Affected young women and Girls - Laura Butterworth

1. Supporting Gang Affected young women and Girls - Laura Butterworth Laura Butterworth

2. Gang Intervention projects Safe and Secure Aspire

3. Aims of the workshop • Understand the roles played by women & girls in gangs • Understand the impact of domestic violence, sexual violence & exploitation experienced by women & girls who are gang affected • Understand the Empower delivery model • Identify strategies for improving identification of young women and girls who are at risk of sexual violence.

4. Spotlight on: young women, gang association and sexual violenceand exploitation ROTA Report – The Female Voice in Violence Safeguarding Children and Young People from Sexual Exploitation (2009) Safeguarding Children and Young People Affected by Gang Activity and/or Serious Youth Violence (2009) The Way Forward: Taking Action to End Violence Against Women and Girls (The Mayors Action Plan 2010) Ending Gang & Youth Violence Report (2011) Government Action Plan to tackle Child Sexual Exploitation (2011) The Children’s Commissioners Inquiry into Child Sexual Exploitation in Gangs and Groups (Current)

5. Who is at risk? What are the risks? Any young woman who is in any way associated or linked to any gang or gang associated individual ... Includes family members, friends, girlfriends and young women linked to a gang ROTA 2010 & 2011, OCC 2012

6. Common Sexual exploitation features within gangs • Sex as part of initiation process • Line –ups – forced or coerced oral sex, multiple perpetrators • Battery chick – a woman who is expected to have sex with many members of the same gang • Multiple perpetrator rape • Sexual activity in return for (perceived) status or protection • Young women ‘setting-up’ people in other gangs • Establishing a relationship with, or feigning sexual interest in a rival gang member, ‘entrapment’ • Sexual assault as a weapon in conflict and retaliation • Not all young women are viewed as having equal rights to assent to or decline sexual activity – some seen as having ‘lost their right to withhold consent’ • Gang associated SE and SV is rarely reported • Information on sexual violence against young men is less forthcoming. Sexual violence/exploitation against young men is ‘viewed differently’ OCC CSEGG Interim Report, Nov 2012

7. Role and function of gang related sexual exploitation “Sexual violence and exploitation are significant weapons used against females associated with, or involved in, gang violence” “Rape has become a weapon of choice ... as it is the only weapon that cannot be detected during a stop and search” ROTA Report: Female Voice in Violence (2010) and This is it, this is My Life (2011)

9. Behavioural and Risk Indicators • Older ‘boyfriend’ • Gang-involved male peers • Missing from home or care • Physical injuries. • Drug or alcohol misuse • Involvement in offending • Repeat sexually-transmitted infections, pregnancy and terminations • Evidence of sexual bullying and/or vulnerability through the internet and/or social networking sites • Disclosures made then withdrawn • Unexplained money or gifts and unexplained mobiles • Absent from school • Bullying in or out of school • Change in physical appearance • Recruiting others into exploitative situations • Family involvement in sexual exploitation • Poor mental health • Self-harm or thoughts of or attempts at suicide CSEGG Inquiry, OCC Nov 2012

10. Vulnerability Factors • Living in a chaotic or dysfunctional household • History of abuse • Living in residential care, hostel, B&B or being homeless • Gang association either through relatives, peers, intimate relationships or neighbourhood • Lacking friends from the same age group • Attending school or are friends with young people who are sexually exploited • Not engaging in education/training or employment • Unsure about their sexual orientation or unable to disclose sexual orientation to their families • Learning disabilities • Young carer • Recent bereavement or loss • Low self-esteem or self-confidence. OCC Inquiry CSEGG Interim report 2012

11. EMPOWER Professionals Training & Events Workshops for Parents Young woman Consultation & Advice 1:1 Intensive Support Group Programme for Young Women Group Programme for Young Men

12. 1:1 Intensive support Model

14. Croydon Gangs Team(Core team) Police Probation YOS Gangs St Giles Safer London IYSS

15. Case Study Jessica, 17. Referred by Missing Persons Unit, as a result of co-location of Case worker Frequently missing, substance misuse, suspected to be drug dealing, NEET, known to associate with gang associated young people. Returned to the family home having been missing for 7 Months. An empower case worker attended a return interview with police Jessica disclosed to the case worker that prior to being missing she had stolen from a gang member only known by street name ‘Red’ Checks and information sharing with local gangs unit Able to safety plan and safeguard Family support, signposting, re-engaging in education,

16. Case Study Kelly, 13 Referred by Safer Schools Officer. Low level concerns, associating with groups of young men after school. Engaged with family with support of school, Case worker meets Kelly at school. Kelly disclosed further information on her gang involvement. Activities around gangs, risks and rewards. Aspirations goal setting, positive activities.

17. Case Study Kennisha, 17, Currently detained in a Secure Training facility. Referred to Empower by YOT Court team worker Known gang association. Violent offending history. Substance misuse Has reported experiences of sexual violence to social workers Has begun working with Empower case worker whilst insecure, both phone and face to face support Case worker has been present at review meetings and involved in planning for Kennisha’s release Kennisha has been supported to complete self assessments of need, aspirations and safety planning (including exiting plan), prior to her release. Case worker will continue to support Kennisha to achieve her action plan upon release Advocacy for appropriate housing, education and welfare support upon release

18. Barriers to disclosing or reporting sexual violence and exploitation: • Attitudes of young men towards young women • Lack of awareness about support available • Lack of recognition that they had experienced rape or sexual violence • Reluctance amongst participants and victims to report any such offence • The little to non-existent peer support for young women in these scenarios Female Voice in Violence, ROTA 2011

19. Barriers to professionals identifying Vulnerably Young women Sexually exploited children and young people are frequently described by professionals as being; promiscuous .. sexually available.. asking for it .. Prostituting .. Suggests children are complicit in, and responsible for, their own abuse • Gang interruption interventions are male dominated and designed for young men • Men and boys require support to understand the consequences of their attitudes and behaviours • Services and agencies working in silos, not multi-agency and info sharing ROTA 2010 & CSEGG, OCC Nov 2012

20. What are the risks facing gang affected young women and girls?

21. How can we improve identification of gang affected young women and girls at risk of domestic violence, sexual violence and exploitation?

22. How do we ensure robust referral pathways and appropriate intervention and prevention services for gang affected young women and girls?

23. Further Reading on the issue • Child Sexual Exploitation Inquiry interim report - I thought I was the only one. The only one in the world (OCC 2012) • Female Voice in Violence Final Report: This is it, this is my Life (ROTA 2011) • Safeguarding children affected by Gang Activity and/or serious Youth violence (LSCB 2010) • Safeguarding Children and Young People from Sexual Exploitation (DCSF 2010) • Teenagers at Risk: The Safeguarding needs of Young People in Gangs and Violent Peer Groups (NSPCC 2009)