GXNG GIRLS, documentary
- Video discretion is advised -
Abbianca Makoni explores the issue of girls associated or involved in gangs, meeting a young woman who witnessed the murder of her cousin aged nine and by the time she was 14 she had been coerced to hold weapons for older gang members.
2019 figures published by the Children's commissioner suggest that up to 34% of children involved in gangs are girls and in various reports the commissioner has said that services were failing them - leaving many under the radar.
There’s very little official data on gang-associated women and girls but figures analysed by the commissioner’s office suggested that victims can be as young as 12.
Abbianca Makoni spoke with victim survivors, researchers, a former gang member turned youth worker, grass root charities and a therapists to better understand where the gaps are and what can be done better in society to help some of these women and girls going under the radar.
The solution focused film also explores some of the ‘hidden’ topics that are often missed when discussing this issue including the role of the church.
Presenter and producer: Abbianca Makoni
Executive producer and editor: Samson Falodun
Contact: AbbiancaMakoni@gmail.com
This documentary was filmed at the start of 2020 and statistics may have changed and most of the filming was done before UK Covid-19 restrictions in the were put into place.