Identity, territoriality, and a desire to matter: The evolving picture of serious youth violence in Newcastle

• In Event: Authentic Voices: Young people and Violence. Being heard as well as being seen.

Abstract

. The picture of serious youth violence (SYV) is a complex one and the true extent of youth violence is often difficult to establish due to limitations with data collection and recording practices. Yet, despite a decline during the Covid-19 pandemic lockdowns, it appears that nationally SYV – particularly offences involving a knife or weapon – are on the rise. Data suggests these issues are particularly acute in large metropolitan areas with high levels of deprivation and social inequality. With the North East local economic partnership areas home to 207 of the 10% most deprived Layer Super Output Areas (LSOAs) in England, Newcastle is not immune to incidents of SYV and exploitation – as the tragic death of 14-year-old Gordon Gault in 2022 and Operation Sanctuary in 2014 demonstrate. Based upon the findings from across two studies, this presentation looks at the evolving picture of SYV in Newcastle and the North East. The paper aims to understand both how violence shapes the psychosocial development of children and young people and how it is shaped by the psychosocial context of their lived environment. The paper explores the physical and virtual spaces in which violence emerges and the how violence both shapes and constrains the development of young people’s identities.

Author

• Samantha Walker, Northumbria University