New funding to support young women impacted by gang-related exploitation
Vulnerable young women and girls in Gateshead at risk of gang exploitation will have access to new support, thanks to new specialist funding from the Home Office.
We are one of 23 local authorities awarded a total of £2.64 million of funding for Young Women's Workers. In their role, the support workers will identify and provide support to vulnerable young women and girls who are experiencing, or at risk of experiencing, gang-related exploitation or abuse.
This abuse could include serious violence, sexual exploitation, assault, peer on peer abuse, child criminal and drug exploitation, or any other form of harm arising from exploitation by gangs.
Support provided by this fund will depend on the circumstances of the individual in question, but may include one-to-one support, targeted group work and residential trips, as well as work in education settings and with frontline professionals to raise awareness of gang exploitation among young women and girls.
Andrea Houlahan, Deputy Strategic Director for Children's Social Care and Early Help at Gateshead Council said: "Our safeguarding teams are dedicated to protecting those who are at risk or have already suffered from abuse in the area, including by gang exploitation.
"By being awarded access to the Young Women and Girls' Fund, we can expand our safeguarding services with new and additional expertise so that we can better help some of the most vulnerable children and young people in our communities."
Councillor Gary Haley, Cabinet Member for Children and Young People at Gateshead Council said: "The new funding will not only allow us to offer specialist support for young women and girls who have suffered exploitation by gangs, it will also help us to identify those at risk of gang exploitation and prevent further crimes from taking place.
"By reporting knowledge of gang exploitation in our area, you can assist in protecting our communities and keeping young women and girls in Gateshead safe."
To report safeguarding concerns in Gateshead and find out about the support on offer, visit our safeguarding information.
Vulnerable young women and girls in Gateshead at risk of gang exploitation will have access to new support, thanks to new specialist funding from the Home Office.
We are one of 23 local authorities awarded a total of £2.64 million of funding for Young Women's Workers. In their role, the support workers will identify and provide support to vulnerable young women and girls who are experiencing, or at risk of experiencing, gang-related exploitation or abuse.
This abuse could include serious violence, sexual exploitation, assault, peer on peer abuse, child criminal and drug exploitation, or any other form of harm arising from exploitation by gangs.
Support provided by this fund will depend on the circumstances of the individual in question, but may include one-to-one support, targeted group work and residential trips, as well as work in education settings and with frontline professionals to raise awareness of gang exploitation among young women and girls.
Andrea Houlahan, Deputy Strategic Director for Children's Social Care and Early Help at Gateshead Council said: "Our safeguarding teams are dedicated to protecting those who are at risk or have already suffered from abuse in the area, including by gang exploitation.
"By being awarded access to the Young Women and Girls' Fund, we can expand our safeguarding services with new and additional expertise so that we can better help some of the most vulnerable children and young people in our communities."
Councillor Gary Haley, Cabinet Member for Children and Young People at Gateshead Council said: "The new funding will not only allow us to offer specialist support for young women and girls who have suffered exploitation by gangs, it will also help us to identify those at risk of gang exploitation and prevent further crimes from taking place.
"By reporting knowledge of gang exploitation in our area, you can assist in protecting our communities and keeping young women and girls in Gateshead safe."
To report safeguarding concerns in Gateshead and find out about the support on offer, visit our safeguarding information.
