A BRIGHTON councillor has warned “more and more” young women and girls are at risk of being exploited by gangs, as the city’s council secured new funding to tackle the issue.

Brighton and Hove City Council has secured almost £115,000 for its work to prevent vulnerable young women and girls from being sexually and violently exploited.

The council said that although boys and young men involved in gangs often come to the attention of the town hall, police and other agencies through public drug-dealing, anti-social behaviour or street violence, girls and young women can remain invisible to the authorities despite making up one third of gang memberships.

It added that young women and girls are often forced, through emotional, physical or sexual exploitation into storing or carrying drugs or weapons, which can lead to self-harm, substance misuse or suicidal thoughts.

And that a large proportion of serious and violent crime in the city is linked to the drug trade and county lines activity, with social media platforms, like Snapchat, being used across all aspects of drug supply in Sussex.

Council officials say a dedicated young women’s worker (YWW) will work with girls who are either being abused or are at risk of being exploited by gang members.

The new YWW will focus directly on helping young women from being drawn into gang membership and support those already involved to leave.

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They will also offer support on a range of issues including exploitation, substance use, mental health, education and peer relationships.

Councillor Zoe John, deputy chair of the council’s children, young people and skills committee, welcomed the funding.

“More and more young women and girls are at risk of being exploited within gang culture, so we very much welcome this funding,” she said.

“It will allow our young woman’s worker to work face to face or in groups with vulnerable girls and help protect them from sexual exploitation and violence at the hands of gang members.”

The council said it is also tackling gang culture as part of the Sussex Violence Reduction Partnership (VRP) which brings together data and expertise from Sussex Police, local authorities, the NHS including hospitals, public health, criminal justice and community organisations.

The VRP identifies and tackles the root causes of serious violent crime in Sussex to protect young people and try to make communities safer.