‘Youth stabbed after ‘play fight’, ‘Three arrested over fatal stabbing’, ‘Youth dies from single stab wound’, ‘Pupil eight charged over knife’.
Headline after headline, the perpetual reporting of youth stabbings and killings have become a mantra, announcing the rise of a war that is escalating out of control. The war zone is the streets, the battleground your front door, the weapon of choice, a knife but for those who have the right connections, a gun.
Increasingly becoming part of the status quo, carrying a knife, for many youths is the solution to staying safe on the streets. And with the availability of such weapons as machetes and flick knives becoming as common as getting a bag of chips from your local chippy, can there really be way out for today’s young generation?
“I think there is,” said former gang member Chris Somi. “But it’s up to that person. After I was jumped I joined these boys and we would hang about on the streets fighting and robbing people. I carried weapons because I never wanted to be jumped again. But it got me into so much trouble and deep down I needed a way out. I got one at the VYG. They gave me the facts and I had to choose for myself where my life was heading.”
And this is what the Where U Going? Event is offering - a choice!
Respect, protection, fear, power whatever the reason for carrying a weapon, the fact is, youths are dying. This event isn’t about telling young people what to do. It’s about choice. It’s about facts. It’s about life.
The movement running throughout the month of July will conclude on the 27th at your local VYG branch with real life stories, music and no nonsense advice to have you clued up and safe on the streets.
Don’t allow yourself or your friends to become another statistic of youth street violence. For more details call 020 7686 6000 and ask to speak to the Youth Pastor or you can log on to the Where U Going? website.
