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'Tangible action’ needed to address youth violence, says campaigner

2 mins read Youth Justice Youth Work
“Tangible action" is needed to protect vulnerable young people from the cycle of youth violence, youth coach and campaigner Amani Simpson has urged.
Simpson says good work is being done to address youth violence, but it 'falls short of a national conversation'. Picture: Amani Simpson
Simpson says good work is being done to address youth violence, but it 'falls short of a national conversation'. Picture: Amani Simpson

In an interview with CYP Now, Amani Simpson, chief executive of youth empowerment organisation AVIARD Inspires and panel member for the Commission On Young Lives, told of his personal journey, his work with at-risk young people, and the importance of a national approach to tackling youth violence and exploitation.

Simpson said he struggled to find his feet and his identity as a young person, adding: “Unfortunately that turned into bad behaviour, a bad reputation in school, and affected the relationship I had with my parents at the time.”

He described how the cycle continued throughout secondary school and after leaving education, leading to nearly being arrested, going into care, and getting groomed by county lines gangs.

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