Yasmin Barnard talks about the desperate and immediate need to turn our attention to the "invisible" struggles faced by tens of thousands of vulnerable girls in England. This follows a recent report by the Commission on Young Lives and Manchester Metropolitan University casting light on a distressing reality - girls who find themselves ensnared in gangs, victims of violence and exploitation, are yet often unnoticed, overlooked, and unheard.
Imagine the story of Asha, a young woman whose life took a heart-wrenching turn when she lost her father at just 16. Left to navigate the harsh realities of life on her own, Asha, like so many others, sought solace and survival in the arms of a gang. And there are countless other harrowing stories that are coming to light of young girls living in terrifying conditions.
This all represents the dramatically endless and yet preventable plights of young girls who are suffering. Sadly people think of daddyless daughters and connect it with “daddy issues” but often only in line with relationships. Where this may make some logical sense, it only scratches the surface of the impact of fatherlessness within females.
No race or age is exempt from the impacts of being Daddyless. We know very well that many women will attract partners that mimic the behaviours of parents or perpetrators based off of the knowledge that this has become normal for them but what about the lack of male example?
“Fatherless Daughter Syndrome" (colloquially known as "daddy issues") is an emotional disorder that stems from issues with trust and lack of self-esteem that leads to a cycle of repeated dysfunctional decisions in relationships with men.”
For these girls, joining a gang becomes not just a choice but a desperate attempt to find belonging and financial security in a world that seems to have turned its back on them, the risks these girls face go beyond the physical dangers of gang life as they become prey to a myriad of abuses - sexual, emotional, and psychological. The unimaginable trauma they endure leaves scars that may never heal fully.
It's time to break the silence and rewrite their stories.
Change doesn't happen in silence. The statistics are staggering - approximately 60,000 girls silently battling for their lives, yet they make up only 0.2% of the known gang-associated individuals in London. Their voices, drowned out in the crowd, are pleading to be heard, understood, and rescued from the darkness they face daily.
This is a call to action urging us to pay attention and protect these vulnerable girls. Training for teachers, health professionals, youth programs, and the police is the first step to identifying signs of gang involvement and exploitation among girls. Understanding their unique struggles is the key to reaching out and offering a lifeline.
Early intervention and community-based initiatives are extremely powerful. By addressing the gender-specific challenges these girls face, we can create an environment where they feel empowered and supported. Together, we can shatter the chains of violence and exploitation, offering a chance at a better, brighter future.
To spread awareness of this deeply concerning issue I have been following the powerful work of Aliya Ali who has endured quite a journey. She once sold drugs for gangs but now advocates for The Daddyless Daughters Project CIC.
Her story shines a light on the complex struggles that girls caught in this web of violence experience and she has been diligently working behind the scenes on launching a transformative initiatives to address these challenges including ‘The Sister Squad Outreach Program’.
The Sister Squad Outreach Program is a trauma informed mentoring service led by lived experienced mentors offering comprehensive support and intervention measures to address the unique challenges faced by fatherless girls and young women with complex needs.
Mentors provide trauma-informed and therapeutic mentoring, equipping them with the tools and techniques needed to understand complex behaviours such as hyper sexuality, self-harming, eating disorders, substance misuse, and offending.
In aid of preventing criminal and sexual exploitation of vulnerable and marginalised girls and young women and addressing the overlapping themes of them engaging with the criminal justice and care system, we have created a community approach which aims to address critical gaps within our sector. Sister Squad is about educating and empowering these girls and young women to build positive and fulfilling lives free from trauma and complex behaviour patterns.
This program is a beacon of hope for fatherless girls and young women facing complex challenges. Guided by experienced mentors who understand their journey, this trauma-informed mentoring service offers unwavering support and intervention strategies. At its core, Sister Squad is all about empowerment and education, enabling girls and young women to break free from trauma and complex behaviour patterns, paving the way for positive and fulfilling lives.
Partnering with Aliyah will change lives and you can see more on her work here and she can be contacted directly to discuss your support aliyah@daddylessdaughters.co.uk
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