Brighton and Hove City Council has secured almost £115,000 to prevent vulnerable young women and girls from being sexually and violently exploited.
Council officials say a dedicated Young Women’s Worker (YWW) will work with girls who are either being abused or are at risk of being exploited by gang members.
Although boys and young men are often seen to be involved in gang violence and violent crime, girls and young women can remain invisible to the authorities despite making up one third of gang memberships.
The new YWW will focus directly on helping young women from being drawn into gang membership and support those already involved to leave.
Support will be offered on a range of issues including exploitation, substance use, mental health, education and peer relationships.
Councillor Zoe John, deputy chair of the council’s Children, Young People & Skills Committee, said:
“More and more young women and girls are at risk of being exploited within gang culture, so we very much welcome this funding.
“It will allow our Young Woman’s Worker to work face to face or in groups with vulnerable girls and help protect them from sexual exploitation and violence at the hands of gang members.”
A large proportion of serious and violent crime in the city is linked to the drug trade and county lines activity.
The council says it's also tackling gang culture as part of the Sussex Violence Reduction Partnership (VRP) which brings together data and expertise from Sussex Police, local authorities, the NHS including hospitals, public health, criminal justice and community organisations.
This partnership aims to identify and tackle the root causes of serious violent crime in Sussex to protect young people and make communities safer.
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