CYP Now - Under-reporting of exploitation leaving girls invisible to services, commission warns

The under-reporting of concerns related to gang exploitation is leaving tens of thousands of vulnerable girls without access to help from children’s services, a report is warning.

Young women and girls are less likely to be asked about life challenges when presenting at A&E with mental health issues, the report finds. Picture: Adobe Stock

It found that gang exploitation of girls and young women often “occurs simultaneously with other offences” which means “harms remain unacknowledged and unaddressed by professionals”.

In addition, most youth justice and gang prevention programmes are aimed at boys, leaving many girls “invisible to services and help”.

Health professionals also need to improve their identification of the risk of exploitation of girls. The report found that when young people in mental health crisis caused by trauma arrive at hospitals, staff are less likely to ask girls about challenges in their lives than boys who arrive having been stabbed.

Another factor in under-reporting of concerns is a “perception that girls are less likely to engage in violence”.

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