Thousands of girls ‘trapped’ in gangs

Thousands of girls and young women trapped in gangs are living “desperate lives” where rape is considered normal.

That is according to a report by the Centre for Social Justice into female gang members, which found sexual exploitation, drugs-running, and gun handling is part of their routine life.

Researchers heard how female members are being pressured to have sex with boys — some as young as 10 — to initiate males into gangs. Rape is used to control the female members and as a weapon against girls and women associated with rival gangs.

The report outlines a case where one schoolgirl was abducted and sexually assaulted by nine males because she criticised a gang member.

It also found female members as young as eight are being used to transport weapons and drugs because they are less likely to be stopped by police.

It added that, in some areas, problems have been exacerbated because teachers have turned a blind eye to gang activity to protect their school’s reputation.

Edward Boyd, the centre’s deputy policy director and editor of the report, said: “We are often unsighted about the desperate lives of girls embroiled in gangs.

“While the media regularly shines a spotlight on the criminality of male members, the daily suffering of girls goes largely unnoticed.

“They live in a parallel world where rape is used as a weapon and carrying drugs and guns is seen as normal.”

The study heard from current and former gang members, charities working with gangs, government agencies, and other frontline services.

The team behind the report wants to see youth workers placed in trauma units at hospitals in gang-affected areas to find members. They want police to team up with voluntary organisations to help girlfriends of male gang members who are arrested or imprisoned to exit gang life.

A recent report said almost 2,500 children are known to be victims of child sexual exploitation by gangs and groups.

Patrick Regan, chief executive of urban youth charity XLP, said: “The biggest issue with girls in gangs is that we simply don’t know the full extent of the problem.

“The data we have is merely the tip of the iceberg and at XLP there is no doubt that we see increasing numbers of girls dragged into this appalling world of exploitation, criminality and hopelessness.”