Medway has received £112,640 from the Home Office to provide specialist support to young women and girls who may be at risk of exploitation from criminal gangs.
We are one of 23 local authorities which have been awarded a share of £2.64million government funding to recruit specialist staff to support women and girls. These 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.
The support provided will be tailored to the individual needs of those who need it, but may include one-to-one support, targeted group work and residential trips alongside working with education settings and frontline professionals to raise awareness of potential gang exploitation amongst young women and girls.
Helping keep Medway a safe place
Cllr Josie Iles, Medway Council’s Lead Member for Children’s Services, said: “I am pleased we have received funding from the Home Office to raise awareness and prevent vulnerable young women and girls from experiencing gang-related exploitation and abuse. Whilst Medway is a safe place, this funding will help keep it that way and help identify any girls and young people who may be at risk of exploitation. It is vital that we do all we can to protect those at risk of harm and provide expert support. We will continue to work with partner agencies to raise awareness of this important topic and protect Medway’s young women and girls.”