NSPCC helpline launched for parents worried about their child and gang culture (20 August 2014)

Children’s charity the NSPCC has launched a new 24/7 helpline for parents who are worried that their children may be becoming involved in gang culture.

The helpline has been set up in response to an increase in the number of parents who are concerned that their children may be involved in gangs, with the aim of helping inform parents about gang culture and how to spot the signs of gang involvement in a child.

The NSPCC says that there is a lack of knowledge among adults about gangs, as well as how they can help children escape from gang culture.

The helpline will be manned by trained specialists who can advise on how to help a child leave a gang – as well as helping parents to recognise the signs of gang culture in their children’s behaviour.

The NSPCC’s existing national helpline will run the new service, and the NSPCC is also launching a poster and video campaign to promote the anti-gang helpline for worried parents.

The NSPCC’s head of child protection, John Cameron, said that youngsters who are involved in gangs are frequently “abused, exploited and put in dangerous situations”.

The charity says that too many children are “being left to ruin their lives in gangs”.

Mr Cameron added:

“They are often terrified of what they are doing and want to leave gangs – and we believe adults have an incredibly important role to play in helping them break free.

“Parents, carers and other adults often struggle to know where to turn when faced with a young person who they think might be involved in a gang.

“By working together with other agencies, we can help stop young people’s lives from being ruined by gangs.”

The Home Office is funding the helpline and is also funding “street ambassadors” to promote the NSPCC helpline under its Ending Gangs and Youth Violence scheme.

Under the scheme, 20 London boroughs and 13 other areas of the country which have a strong gang presence will be targeted.

The government’s Crime Prevention Minister Norman Baker MP said that the initiative would help reduce gang violence in London and in other parts of the UK.

Mr Baker said:

“Gang culture is a destructive element in our society.

“By offering specialist backing and support, this service will empower parents and others to help the young people they are concerned about.”

As well as gang violence, it is known that young girls in gangs can be subjected to sexual abuse – and even targeted for sexual exploitation by rival gang members.

Younger gang members can also be intimidated or influenced by peer pressure to carry out criminal or violent activities on behalf of older gang members who control the gang.

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