COH-AWH-What_Would_it_Take

MOVING FORWARD
Often isolated and desperate for resources and
support, it is no surprise that young people who
are marginalized or homeless experience violent
victimization in their communities.
I think ending the gangs that
really take advantage of and
exploit youth would really help
in keeping—breaking the cycle
of addiction and homelessness
… if we just depopulated them
by giving youth other options
other than gangs to like, feed
themselves and to have a sense
of community that they could be
friends with...and defunding the
gangs by regulating drugs and
prostitution, which is two of their
big areas of income. That could
probably work really well.
Unfortunately, research also demonstrates that these
youth lack equal access to justice, legal supports, and
legal protection, leaving them vulnerable to further
marginalization and victimization (Gaetz, 2014). A
particular concern is recent research demonstrating
the alarming rate of human sex trafficking among
youth who are homeless, particularly young women
(Murphy, 2016) and Indigenous girls and women
(Native Women’s Association of Canada, 2014). In
the face of these realities, it is essential to provide
increased funding to targeted services, supports,
housing, and outreach in order to end these
experiences for young people.
KAMLOOPS YOUTH
WHAT WOULD IT TAKE? 118