Oxfordshire Youth reaches out to young women and girls facing gang violence, online grooming and exploitation

At Oxfordshire Youth, a new and crucial initiative is taking steps to address pressing issues such as gang violence, online grooming and exploitation. As we embark on this journey, it is paramount that we prioritise the safety and confidentiality of all those involved. Therefore, we choose not to disclose the names of our dedicated staff, nor will we ever expose the identities of the brave individuals who seek our support.

Our Young Women and Girls Project (Y.W.&G.P.) approaches its mission with a deep understanding of the trauma 11-25-year-old victims of crime and individuals in immediate risk often face. With a heartfelt commitment, our Project Coordinator shares a simple yet powerful aspiration, “We aim to ignite a spark within these young women, a spark they may not have known existed.”

At the core of our work is a profound compassion for the challenges that these vulnerable young women encounter. We stand by their side, ready to provide guidance, support, and a safe space where they can heal, grow, and discover their inner strength. This project is not just an initiative, it’s a lifeline for those in need. Together, we strive to create a brighter future for the young women we serve, one that is defined by resilience, empowerment, and hope.

The whole initiative is generously funded by Cherwell District Council and alongside police, we are connected to a supportive network of partner agencies including: youth justice, probation and social services, schools and colleges, pupil referral units, alternative education providers, violence reduction units and other voluntary sector organisations including SAFE! Oxford and Oxfordshire Sexual Abuse and Rape Crisis Centre.

The Y.W.&G.P. represents a pioneering approach to support and empowerment. Our Project Coordinator acknowledges the uniqueness of our initiative: “I don’t believe there are many projects like this. Our overarching goal is to empower young women and girls by nurturing their sense of identity and belonging. We aim to help them build a strong sense of self-worth and personal boundaries, enabling them to assert themselves clearly and say what they are willing to accept. Additionally, we’re dedicated to assisting them in achieving their self-defined goals, whether they pertain to health, education, or personal interests.”

Working alongside our young women, we will journey together towards these aspirations, whilst also collaborating with external agencies when their expertise can provide valuable additional support. This is more than a project, it’s a commitment to helping these young women shape their futures with confidence and determination.

“They may have partners in gangs and their gang affiliations will switch as they change partners. These young women are often on the periphery of gangs via links with partners or siblings and are at risk of being pulled in themselves. Police also cite a huge concern around internet usage, mobile phone safety and saying no to inappropriate behaviour. This client group feels a need for affirmation that can lead them to allow images of themselves to be shared for example.”

Oxfordshire Youth is offering a highly skilled and well trained case worker supporting young women and girls for up to a year at a time. As the coordinator describes it, “We are providing a safe haven in which they can be themselves. It’s great because it’s free and accessible to any 11-25 year old who wants to be a part of it. They can take part in one-to-one and small group work as well as regular group work activities whilst accessing peer groups and networks and discovering the positive influence these can have in our own lives and the local community. They will be given the space to reflect on their own identity, offered support in accessing services and provided with financial help if they need it to access the project so no one who needs it needs to miss out.”

If you want to refer someone please visit our Young Women and Girls Project webpage and click on the red ‘Refer here’ button.