Guns and Gangs Project in OT'

1
Guns and Gangs Project in OT.
2
Background information

• Peer research training by ICA (Amelia)
• Research methods were
• One to one interviews
• Online
• Focus groups
• 42 respondents, aged 14-25
• 40 active in gangs

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The OT Cripz

• Do they exist?
• Why do they do what they do?
• Are they organised?
• How old are they?
• Are they serious?

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The Findings

• Gangs exist because of
• Lack of jobs, training and education
• Lack of facilities and activities
• Poor decisions by young people
• The need for belonging, (identity)
• For power/status/respect/protection
• To improve earning potential, (for money)

5
The role of Drugs

• Make money by selling drugs (skunkweed,
• sometimes crack and heroin)
• Need money to buy the drugs, skunkweed, 40 a
  day!
• Increases petty crime, burglary, street robbery,
  taxing, etc.
• No appropriate drug advice or guidance for urban
  young people

6
The solutions

• Djing workshops, Rapping and Mcing workshops,
  Music making, etc.
• Youth based modern facilities, e.g. one stop
  resource centre, drug advice, etc.
• Employment, education and training initiatives
• Youth led paid work and development programmes

7
The Future

• School exclusion project
• Peace initiative
• Mentoring programme
• Role models programme
• Employment support
• Getting facilities for young people to learn in
  at their own pace

8
YEP

• Youth Empowerment Project. (YEP)
• Bank account, constitution, etc, etc.

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Outcomes

• Reduces boredom
• Reduces anti-social behaviour
• Crime
• More jobs and opportunities for young people
• Reduces the number of young people being killed
  or maimed by violence

10
Finally

• Organisations need to empower young people,
• Listen to us and gives us a voice
• Responds to what we say
• Gives us what we need
• Respect our opinions
• Promote Youth Led Programmes
• Employ more young people
• Together we need to stop the killings