Why We’re Needed
WHY WE DO WHAT WE DO
(Social Media / Grooming Process)
Groomers are good at lying about who they are, particularly online where they can create a false identity and pretend to be younger than they are. People can be groomed online through: Social media networks, like Snapchat, TikTok and Instagram, text messages and messaging apps, like WhatsApp.
Statistics show that an alarmingly high number of young people across the UK are turning to a life of crime. In 2020 – 2021 8,800 young people were convicted of a crime for their first time, their first step into the Youth Justice System, and within the same year 3,500 proven knife or offensive weapons offences involving young people were recorded. Our mentorship programme has proven to be a powerful tool in educating & deterring young people from the grooming process & entering a life of crime and providing the opportunities & pathways needed for change.
Feedback from young people tells us that our Lived Experience helps them to form trusting and impactful relationships with us, which in turn enables us to mentor and educate them effectively to make positive life choices. Our personal backstories are ones that capture the young people to engage more openly with us, giving us a professional advantage in improving outcomes for the youth of today.
Conclusion
In a society where the challenges faced by children and young individuals are complex and diverse, On The Verge is not just needed; it is indispensable. By combining group sessions, mentorship, preventative measures, and targeted education, we create a comprehensive framework for positive change. Our commitment to addressing the unique needs of at-risk individuals reflects our dedication to creating a safer, more informed, and supportive community. We are not just an organisation; it is a transformative force empowering youth, enlightening communities, and shaping a brighter future for all.
‘’Violent offending has also increased, with recorded of 12% for violence against the person and 29% for robberies"
Disproportionality remains high, with 85% of arrests being boys. Around 30% of young people who were arrested are from Black, Asian and mixed ethnic backgrounds in 2020/21, despite accounting for 18% of the population.
Knife-enabled crime recorded by the police saw a 10% increase to 49,027 offences in the year ending March 2022, from 44,642 in the year ending March 2021.
While the number of violence against the person offences has followed an overall downward trend, this offence group has been steadily increasing as a proportion of all offences over the last ten years, and accounts for 32% of all proven offences.
Violence against the person offences have seen the greatest increase in proportion, gradually increasing from 21% in the year ending March 2011 to 32% of proven offences in the latest year.