CPS London hosts gang debate with young women
14/03/2012
The Crown Prosecution Service in London today welcomed girls and young women from Lambeth, Barking and Dagenham, Lewisham and Islington to an event aimed at identifying ways to stop girls and young women becoming involved with gangs.
The event entitled 'Girls and Young Women: Safer Communities and Confident Futures' was held to recognise last week's International Women's Day.
The three hour event at the CPS headquarters in Southwark was attended by an invited audience of 60 girls and young women, who live in local communities affected by gangs to find out how they think the problem can be tackled and to raise their awareness. They spoke to CPS London's senior prosecutors participating in a timely debate which looked at aspects of the law such as joint enterprise and sexual violence.
CPS London Chief Crown Prosecutor Alison Saunders said:
"We are committed to tackling the problem of gangs which blights many communities in London. One way we can do that is to talk personally to the young people who live in those areas. They have the knowledge and experience to inform us about what is happening and guide us in ways we can tackle this problem. We can also ensure that young people are aware of the risks they run in getting involved in gangs so they can make the right choices, choices which will impact on their futures.
"Girls and young women often play key roles, either as gang members themselves or as the girlfriend of a gang member, finding themselves pressured into criminal activity. But they can equally play key roles in standing up, influencing their peers and leading the way towards a brighter future away from the gang influence.
"Today's event was a great success and prompted a lot of thoughtful debate. I will be feeding back to my staff the messages we got from these girls and young women and I hope that the event gave the participants food for thought which will positively influence them and their peers."
The event also featured a new film by London company Arc Theatre Young Women and Girls programme. Arc Theatre is an organisation which specialises in creating and performing theatre that challenges assumptions and promotes change. Their new 20 minute documentary film 'Girls Have Their Say' features a former female gang member talking about her own past experiences backed up by dramatisations and original poetry from the girls and young women involved with the programme.
The film, which touched upon many aspects of gang membership, provided a starting point for the debate which followed.
Arc Theatre's artistic director Carole Pluckrose said:
"The aim for us in the work we do is to create strong leaders by supporting and developing young women who may be at risk of becoming gang members or may live in communities affected by gangs.
"Events such as this give these young people a voice and show them that people in positions of power, particularly law enforcers in the Capital, are willing to listen to what they have to say.
"It is only through highlighting the issues facing girls and young people that we can find ways to address them."
The former gang member featured in the 'Girls Have Their Say' film attended today's event. She has asked not to be identified. Speaking after the event she said:
"It's so important that people speak out. Keeping quiet doesn't do anything and it won't solve the problems. I've had loads of experiences with gangs and my motto is if my past can help change even one girl's future then I have done something great.
"A lot of girls might think they will gain confidence from being in a gang and for a time - that might be right. But they have to be aware of the outcome of their actions. I have been in such horrifying situations that I've had a breakdown.
"I want to teach people who join gangs what will happen in the long run and what the serious consequences can be."
