The last word

George the Poet is one of Blondy’s people because he is trying to make a change. A social change. A change for people….. my people. He makes me not feel alone when all I want is to be alone....if ya feel me George Mpanga is one of Blondy’s people because he came from the endz….. got out… but instead of running …and he could have… he has come back to try and make a better world for people like Blondy. Just like he said he would…. A man of his word.

Carlene is one of Blondy’s people …well…because she is epic. She is everything I want and need to be as a professional. She is THE game changer and as an adult, I use her work and understanding of contextual safeguarding to make children’s lives better. To save lives. If you have ever worked with me and think I am good at my job….part of it is because I have studied Carlene’s work and try to apply it where I can. Carlene is one of Blondy’s people because she knows that I was not to blame for that day in the cabin. She doesn’t see the “Thief”. The drunk kid. The “Seducer” (Aged 12). She sees the pain and discomfort and would have wanted to make it better. I bet…if my mum had called her and told her about the cabin and what happened that day…Carlene would have supported my mum in what my mum was trying to do…get rid of a dangerous environment so no one had to suffer that again.

We will be talking about subjects such as damage caused by porn, sexualisation of children and why porn hub is allowed to publish videos of rape and the sexual abuse of children. So, if you don’t want to hear any of that…. don’t listen….. simples

Todays guest to Blondy’s People is Lady Unchained, and bwoy you are in for a treat when you watch our interview. We clicked from the second we spoke. It’s mad when it goes down like that. Brenda…. well… she will tell you her story in the video but all you need to know is that she is out here making change and proving that there is life after prison.

SPACE wants to stop and prevent adolescent criminal exploitation. SPACE is a self-funded organisation founded in January 2018, in response to the national prevalence of Child Criminal Exploitation (CCE) and the County Lines phenomenon which has entrenched thousands of young children and people into serious violence and organised crime. Its primary mission is to *Raise awareness through unique perspective of lived-experience insight, as well as law-enforcement background, including Modern Slavery, of: County Lines, its indicators, broad impact including trauma, and professional gaps and challenges. Power and influence of child exploitation and grooming, including methods and vulnerabilities. Contextual Safeguarding (as County Lines exploitation is extra-familial abuse); Relevance of missing episodes in children and young people; Challenges with consent & transition; National Referral Mechanism (NRM) & Trafficking under Modern Slavery Laws; Link between CCE, CSE and Radicalisation; Mental Health and Trauma. *Make recommendations to improve inadequate or failing professional responses to County Lines exploitation. *Collaborate with charities and statutory services to enable necessary changes which will better safeguard County Lines affected children and young people, and their needs. *Train and equip statutory and non statutory professionals including those listed below, to recognise signs of County Lines and gain an understanding of the wider context of this exploitation. Police Local Authorities Ambulance Service Health / Medical Practitioners Education / OFSTED Legal Practitioners Faith / Community Groups British Transport Police Private Hire / Taxi Firms Charities / Voluntary Organisations Private Industry *Provide awareness and preventative sessions for parents and children (primary school upwards). *Provide free signposting, advocacy and advice for families directly involved in County Lines. *Campaign for change in the current response to CCE. We founded and co-lead the NPIES Advisory Group (see separate tab) and are currently highlighting the disparity in the recognition and support of UK Modern Slavery victims with our UK SSSS campaign (UK Survivors Same Slavery Support).

Simon is a Professor at the University of West London, England. He currently works in the Research Centre for Cybercrime and Security and specialises in urban street gangs, dangerous dogs, acid attacks, hate crime, and youth crime. He has a wide range of practitioner and professional experience in crime reduction and community safety including working for the Home Office as Regional Crime Advisor (London). He has an extensive history in urban regeneration and criminology having worked on over 2,000 social housing estates in the UK. He has written and produced numerous community safety audits, strategies and reports and in 1999 was co-inventor of Acceptable Behaviour Contracts (ABCs).

So many people have whispered in her ear over the years …. “Don’t tell” ….. “Keep quiet” …..”no one will believe you”. The last one there…. she said that to herself as much as others said it to her. Good knows when Blondy learned to become a secret keeper. Very young. Secrets can be dangerous.

Today I want to introduce you to Charlie. Gang culture is something that Charlie knows too well and is something that he deals with on a daily basis. He wanted to speak out and talk about the impact that street life has on mental health. He needs no blog. It's time to see who listens to these Blondy’s people posts…..really listen…. Just sit down and listen to the voice of the street. #blondyspeople

Stefan is one of Blondy’s people because I respect the work that he does and what he offers to those who choose to engage…..Hope. Sometimes all someone needs is hope. If I ever worked with a child and it was indicated to me they were curious about the church then it would always be Stefan who I would contact. Stefan is also one of Blondy’s people because as a child Blondy was let down by the church. Pushed away. Just another failing and then by the time Mike asked her to try again, she had already lost faith. I feel like Stefan, if he had known Blondy, would have listed to her anyway, even if she didn’t want to engage with the religious aspect and he may have even gave her hope…because , at times, Blondy had very little hope….