Violence Reduction Unit (VRU) Partnership Group Advocacy for Gang Associated Girls

Meeting:

MQT on 2019-10-17

Session date:

October 17, 2019

Reference:

2019/19977

Question By:

Florence Eshalomi

Organisation:

Labour Group

Asked Of:

The Mayor

Question

In March this year you said, “I have always been clear that the new London VRU will tackle all forms of violence through a public health approach and this includes violence against women and girls, including the exploitation of young women by gangs.” Please detail how the partnership group set up in October last year has advocated on behalf of gang-associated girls and how the VRU will specifically support girls to help them move away from the exploitation you referred to.

Answers

Violence Reduction Unit (VRU) Partnership Group Advocacy for Gang Associated Girls

Answered By:

The Mayor

Date:

Tuesday, 22nd October 2019

Officers are drafting a response. Please be advised that there may be some delay as the information also requires input from functional bodies.

Violence Reduction Unit (VRU) Partnership Group Advocacy for Gang Associated Girls

Answered By:

The Mayor

Date:

Monday, 4th November 2019

The Violence Reduction Unit (VRU) aims to reduce all forms of violence. Tackling violence against women and girls forms part of the VRU’s long-term vision and they will be working with the VAWG team in MOPAC.

The VRU Partnership Reference Group (PRG) consists of representatives from a range of sectors and organisations to oversee the VRU’s work programme. This wide-ranging membership ensures that the needs of women and girls are consistently raised and advocated for by attendees and provides necessary challenge. Through the PRG, the VRU has heard from a number of partners on girls, gangs and exploitation, most notably Dez Holmes on Adolescent Safeguarding in July 2019.

The VRU continues to scope and review literature on girls and gangs. Recently, this entailed reflecting on research from the Mayor’s £3 million investment in a three-year Rescue and Response programme to better understand, target and respond to County Lines. More information can be found here: https://www.london.gov.uk/mopac-publications/rescue-and-response-pan-london-county-lines-service