WIREDGOV

Successful bids for a share of £1.2m funding to support young people suffering sexual violence, including by gangs, have been announced recently.

Nine organisations with a track record of working with young people, victims of sexual violence and street gangs across the country have been funded to recruit 13 new young people advocates. Each post will be awarded a grant of £30k per year for three years.

Young people's advocates

Working in many of the areas most affected by gangs, the young people's advocates will provide direct and dedicated support to young people who have been victims of sexual violence or exploitation, or who are at risk of becoming victims. The advocates will provide a vital link between existing services to ensure victim's needs are met.

Equalities Minister Lynne Featherstone said: 'For too long the shocking level of abuse of girls and young women associated with gangs has been kept hidden. That is why we continue to take action to raise awareness, provide skilled and sensitive support to victims and work hard to prevent it happening in the first place.'

The £1.2m fund was announced as part of the ending gang and youth violence plan published on 1 November 2011.

Organisations that will receive the funding to recruit young people's advocates:

The Nia Project 
Newham, Tower Hamlets, Waltham Forest and Barking & Dagenham
Two posts

The Safer London Foundation 
Hackney, Haringey, Islington, Enfield, Camden and Croydon
Four posts

Women and Girls Network 
Ealing
One post

Wandsworth Borough Council 
Wandsworth
One post

Westminster City Council 
Westminster, Brent
One post

Sandwell Women's Aid  
Wolverhampton, Dudley, Sandwell and Walsall
Two posts

St Mary's SARC
Manchester, Salford
One post

Manchester Children's Service – IGMU
Manchester, Trafford
One post