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CRIME VICTIMS: Forgotten Victims

5 mins read
They are often portrayed as offenders, but young people are also the most likely victims of crime. John Plummer finds out how an Enfield-based project is helping them.

He suffered a broken wrist and considerable trauma. While the offenders were dealt with by the local youth offending team, so too was Aaron.

He was invited to attend Britain's first centre dedicated solely to young victims of crime. In a converted three-bedroom police flat in Enfield, north London, he and other young victims aged six to 18 receive counselling and have the chance to take part in activities such as photography, computer skills, cooking, music, drama, singing, self-defence and day trips.

When Aaron, 14, first went along his school attendance record was 12 per cent. "I used to bunk off school a lot but since I've been going to the centre my attendance has gone up to 58 per cent," he says. "I usually go once every two weeks and it cheers me up. Some of the other people go to my school and we've become friends."

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