New guidance published by the Home Office on how police and local authorities should use gang injunctions states that they can be used on young women and girls, but stresses that individual circumstance must be considered.
The warning follows several research reports highlighting the susceptibility of young women involved with gangs to sexual violence and rape.
The new guidance states that, for girls associated with gangs, “the heightened risk they face owing to their gender must be properly considered”.
"Injunction applications made against gang-involved women and girls must take account of their specific needs and experiences, which are often different to those of gang-associated men and boys," the guidance states.
"Women and girls who are associated with gangs are at risk of violence, particularly sexual violence (including sexual assault, rape and sexual exploitation).
"Whilst some may choose to take part in gang-related crime, they can also be subject to coercion to commit crimes such as carrying weapons or drugs."
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