Gangs and youth violence | Children's Policy & Practice Hub

Child exploitation describes a situation where an exploiter (who could be an adult or a peer) takes advantage of the child for their own personal or financial gain or gratification. It is based on a power imbalance in the relationship between the child and their exploiter and enables the exploiter to control the movement and behaviour of the child.

Very often there is an interface between harm, exploitation and going missing, and for this reason CSSW has a designated officer, the Missing and Child Exploitation Co-ordinator, who is responsible for oversight of missing episodes and exploitation of children in Camden.

Children and young people may be put at risk by gang activity, both as a participant and as a victim of gang violence. This may be due to violence from peers or because of gang-involvement of an adult or older sibling in their household.

Children can be put at risk of serious harm due to exploitation by and association with gangs. Gangs may criminally exploit children, most commonly through drug supply. Involvement in gangs also increases a child’s risk of experiencing violence, both as victim and perpetrator. Gangs also facilitate other forms of extra-familial harm such as psychological and sexual abuse. Gang-related violence can occur between opposing groups, but also between young people associated with the same group.

Social workers who are working with a child or young person affected by gang-involvement or youth violence should refer to the government guidance Safeguarding children affected by gang activity and youth violence.

Further advice is available from:

Bryony Smith, Missing and Child Exploitation Co-ordinator; ext: 5313

[email protected]

Lizzie Skalski, Youth Violence and Exploitation Analyst, ext: 4206

[email protected]