Keisha McLeod, the mother of 14-year-old Corey Junior Davis, who was murdered in a Forest Gate playground in September 2017, joined Mayor Rokhsana Fiaz, other family members touched by violence, and representatives of Newham’s young people, at the inaugural meeting of the Youth Safety Board (Thursday 28 March).
The meeting, which also drew together representatives from Newham schools, the police, and the health service, was the first of what will become a regular forum aimed at improving young people’s safety in Newham.
Opening the meeting, Mayor Rokhsana Fiaz told the representatives: “This is a really, really important forum and it is going to inform our whole strategic approach to the issues of youth safety in this borough. I am committed to making sure that we hardwire a children and young people’s perspective into all council departments, policies and decisions. We want Newham to be a child-friendly borough, where children and young people are safe, can thrive and reach their full potential.
Co-chairing the board is eminent surgeon Duncan Bew, the Clinical Director of Major Trauma at Kings College Hospital, one of four trauma centre in London that treat many of the young victims of gun, knife and other violent criminal attacks.
He said: “The engagement of young people with the whole community to deliver a shared solution to violence is absolutely crucial. Models around the world have been successful because they have community credibility and everyone feels they have a role in the solutions, they don’t draw on the negativity around the perception of who is responsible for violence, but actually highlight the opportunities in the community for young people to thrive.
“We need to wrap around the whole community and appreciate that the most vulnerable people are those at the point of harm and we need to support and protect them from that, but at the same time show there are opportunities out there so the whole of Newham can benefit.”
Following the meeting Corey Junior Davis’ mum Keisha McLeod said: “This was just our first meeting and I am very optimistic about what we can accomplish here. We have heard from young people and we must commit to let them know that whatever comes out of their mouths is being listened to.
“I think this forum is the start of what is necessary. It shows the youth that we care, it shows them we are interested in their opportunities for the future and that we are willing to invest in them.”