Press Release: Young Londoners to lead on 99% campaign

The London Serious Youth Violence Board, due to hand over its work at the end of March, has passed on the 99% campaign to the young people of the London-based charity Independent Academic Research Studies (IARS).

The 99% campaign is a youth-led initiative that focuses attention on the fact that 99% of young Londoners do not commit serious youth violence and that the vast majority of young people contribute so much to London. The facts are that the percentage of under 20 year old accused of serious youth violence in London in 2009 was only 0.07% (1336 out of a population of 1,868,457).

Will Tuckley, Chair of the London Serious Youth Violence Board and Chief Executive of the London Borough of Bexley said: “"I am delighted that the 99% campaign, developed and launched by the London Serious Youth Violence Board, will continue on as a legacy project under the directorship and guidance of Independent Academic Research Studies (IARS). IARS have been closely associated with the London Serious Youth Violence Board (LSYVB) through its Youth Advisory Board (YAB). The YAB have acted as a youth led forum and sounding board to enable the voice of young people to be heard on the work and direction of the LSYVB”.

The Metropolitan Police, the Children’s Commissioner, Victim Support, the Youth Justice Board and the London Criminal Justice Partnership are among the organisations who have signed up to the pledge of the campaign.

Dr. Theo Gavrielides, Founder and Executive Director of IARS, said: “A recurrent daily theme in London’s media is serious youth violence. I know from personal experience that as a young person if you are told continuously you are bad, then you will either believe it yourself or retaliate and disengage. In fact, there is now a good body of evidence that this has created stereotypes and a divide between young people and wider society. IARS is honoured to have been entrusted with the 99% campaign, and we look forward to working with London’s young people to make it a success”.

A celebration event is being organised by IARS for the 27th June at Middle Temple Hall to launch and support the 99% campaign. IARS Patron, Lord Charles Falconer and Lord Andrew Phillips OBE are amongst the speakers. The charity would like to hear from anyone interested in sponsorship or attending.

IARS is currently in the process of putting together a steering group for the campaign and would like to hear from anyone in being involved. Confirmed partners include the Youth Justice Board, Greater London Authority, Transport for London, Metropolitan Police, London Councils, the Crown Prosecution Service, Bexley and Ealing Council as well as key charities such as the Anne Frank Trust UK, the Jack Petchey Foundation, Clinks, Leap, YMCA England, the Princes Trust and the Foyer Federation.

15/03/2011

IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CONTACT: THEO GAVRIELIDES, T.Gavrielides@iars.org.uk07720057750

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Information for Editors

Independent Academic Research Studies (IARS) www.iars.org.uk

London Serious Youth Violence Board: http://www.lsyvb.org.uk/about/chair.htm

99% campaign: http://www.99percent.org.uk/

Anne Frank Trust UK: http://www.annefrank.org.uk/

Jack Petchey Foundation: http://www.jackpetcheyfoundation.org.uk/

Clinks: http://www.clinks.org/

Youth Justice Board: http://www.yjb.gov.uk/en-gb/