What's the problem?
A growing number of young people are being convicted through Joint Enterprise law due to their allegiance to groups/gangs and involvement in criminal enterprises. The law is not useful as a deterrent as most young people are not aware of it or do not understand it. Many are insufficiently mindful of the potentially devastating effects of peer pressure and gang membership.
Why do we care?
All young people deserve a future that enables them to reach their potential, form positive relationships and grow in an environment free from violence and coercion. There have not been enough immediate, creative responses to ignorance of the law or growth in youth violence. This must be addressed.
What is the project?
Pan's Weapon of Choice Theatre group (WOC) have created an insightful, engaging film project which explains Joint Enterprise law and encourages meaningful debate about the effects of gang-membership for London secondary schools. The film, written by award winning director Zephryn Taitte, was created by the WOC team and depicts a scenario where Joint Enterprise law is applied, it is interspersed with authoritative explanations of the law by Tim Moloney QC and highlights the potentially, negative consequences of gang loyalties.
WOC plans to take the film and accompanying workshops to 10 secondary across London and reach a minimum of 1000 students throughout the year. The more funding we raise the more students can be reached.
Who is running the project?
Weapon of Choice (WOC) is a group of young artists who understand the social situations of those at risk of involvement in gangs and youth violence. They are skilled at reaching hard to reach students and communicating in an engaging way. They are uniquely able to articulate Joint Enterprise law and how to avoid the harmful influences of gang membership.
WOC are part of the arts charity Pan Intercultural Arts (Pan). Pan provides creative projects empowering young people to reach their potential. Pan supports refugees and asylum seekers, young women recovering from trafficking and those living close to youth violence and at risk of exclusion.
How would the money be spent?
Pan is fundraising for £10,000 to cover the costs of the WOC team delivering the workshops in schools. This will include running and evaluating the scheme to ensure students are benefiting and to allow teachers to receive feedback to assess its value.