2014/03/22/the exploitation of girls in UK gangs

title/short::the exploitation of girls in UK gangs The study uncovers an appalling "parallel world" of sex abuse and crime in which male gang members entrap girls and use them for sexual rituals and gratification, as well as to carry drugs because they know they are less likely to be searched by police.
 * when: when posted::2014/03/22
 * author: author::Toby Helm
 * source: site::The Guardian
 * topics: topic::gender inequity topic::UK topic::street gang topic::Centre for Social Justice
 * keywords
 * link: URL::http://www.theguardian.com/society/2014/mar/22/girls-in-uk-gangs-exploitation-abuse-drugs
 * title: title::Exposed: the exploitation of girls in UK gangs
 * summary: "Centre for Social Justice reveals plight of 'invisible' female gang members who face sex abuse and have to carry drugs"

The report, Girls and Gangs, by the Centre for Social Justice – a charity formed by the work and pensions secretary, Iain Duncan Smith, and the urban youth charity XLP – calls for urgent action and criticises the Home Office for failing to do enough to combat gang culture in inner cities since the 2011 riots.

It also says that too often headteachers "turn a blind eye" to gang activity, including the sexual exploitation of girls, to preserve schools' reputations. Marshalling evidence from former gang members, charities and police, among others, it cites harrowing examples of girls being repeatedly raped and forced to have sex with boys as young as 10.