The free online event - entitled From Hidden Girls to Visible Women – has been organised by University of Brighton criminology lecturer Dr Chris Magill and Dr Tirion Havard, Associate Professor in Social Work at London South Bank University (LSBU).
The event forms part of a wider global campaign under the banner 16 Days of Activism Against Gender Based Violence. This annual international initiative begins on 25 November (the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women) and runs until 10 December (Human Rights Day).
The webinar puts the experiences of young women and girls in gangs at its heart, spotlighting a form of exploitation that is often hidden or stereotyped by biased social narratives. The event highlights insights and testimony about the experiences of girls and young women in gangs that were revealed in the BBC documentary Hidden Girls.
Speakers will include two young women with gang experiences. Kendra will speak about the crossover of being a victim and perpetrator, while former gang member Aliyah will share her lived experiences as a survivor. They will be joined by Hidden Girls producer Amanda Kirton, and Croydon Council social worker, Rita Jacobs.