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Puppet on a String: Sexual Exploitation in Gangs

Documentary tackling the dark issue of sexual exploitation in gangs with Adele Roberts investigating an under-reported and often violent part of UK gang culture.

Puppet On A String tackles the dark issue of sexual exploitation in gangs, with Adele Roberts journeying into an under-reported and often violent part of UK gang culture.

The Office of the Children's Commissioner has spent the last two years taking a close look at the subject and found 2,409 young people were known to be victims of sexual exploitation by gangs and groups. A further 16,500 are at risk.

But sexual exploitation is not a crime and there isn't much support out there for these silent sufferers - who can be as young as 11. The victims are often young girls, but this is not always the case. Boys can also be pushed into sexual exploitation by psychologically and physically being forced into raping girls by gang 'Olders'.

In this programme we'll be looking in-depth at this serious issue plaguing the streets right across the UK - from Glasgow to Manchester, Birmingham to London.

We'll be finding out what a gang actually is? How does abuse - psychological, physical and sexual - start and continue? And how is modern technology and culture fuelling this ever-growing situation?

We'll hear from some extremely brave and courageous young people who have decided to step forward from this frightening world because they want to ensure this problem isn't a silent one anymore. There's also a poem specially written for the programme by George the Poet.

1 hour

Last on

Mon 27 Jan 2014 21:00

Broadcast

  • Mon 27 Jan 2014 21:00