Drill Music: Understanding its Impact on Child Exploitation and Youth Violence and its Positive Role in Youth Engagement.”

Confirmed Speakers Include:

• Detective Inspector Chris Berryman, Nottinghamshire Constabulary
• Dr Lambros Fatsis- A Senior Lecturer in Criminology at City, University of London, His published research on the criminalisation of UK drill music, has won him an Outstanding Research & Enterprise Impact Award from the University of Brighton and a Blogger of the Year Award by the British Society of Criminology.

• Micah Gatewood Social Worker The Safe Project – Child Exploitation Team
• Project Shield police officers Katie Earnshaw and Frankie Morgan.

Drill music, with its roots in the Chicago rap scene, has evolved into a powerful form of expression for many artists and listeners alike.  

Drill music provides a platform for young people to express their thoughts, experiences, and emotions through raw and authentic lyrics. This creative outlet allows individuals to tell their stories and connect with audiences on a deeper level. 

Drill music has served as a mentor for many young people, offering guidance and support during challenging times. Artists often share personal stories of overcoming obstacles, which can resonate with listeners facing similar struggles. 

However, Drill music has faced criticism for its explicit content and portrayal of violence and links to criminality.  It has been blamed for promoting criminal behaviour among young people from all communities but more especially from Black Communities. There have been several bans on drill music videos and the imposing of Criminal Behaviour Orders and gang injunctions on drill artists.  

This webinar aims to provide an exploration of the multifaceted impact of drill music on children and young people, highlighting both its associations with child exploitation and serious youth violence, as well as its positive potential in offering a creative diversion for young people. The webinar seeks to create a platform for meaningful conversations, insights, and reflections on the nuanced relationship between drill music and its influence on children and young people.

Aims: 

• To explore the perceptions/realities of themes in Drill Music that link child exploitation and serious youth violence.   
• To achieve an understanding of how Drill Music can be used as a method of positive diversion and inspiration for children and young people.  
• To raise awareness and critical thinking about the dual nature of drill music, including both negative and positive impacts on CYP and their communities.  

 Outcomes:  

1. Increased Awareness: delegates gain a deeper understanding of how drill music affirms the conceptions of child exploitation and serious youth violence, while on the flip side offering a creative diversion for children  
2. Knowledge Application: Encourage delegates to apply the knowledge and insights gained from the webinar in their professional practice, leading to tangible improvements in safeguarding practices for children. 
3. Empathy and Understanding: delegates will be able to strengthen their empathy and understanding towards the perspectives of young people involved in drill music, implementing a more balanced approach to addressing the underlying issues they face. 
4. Facilitating Positive Change: The webinar serves to empower the delegates in making a case for positive change through the promotion of awareness, education, and resources that support holistic well-being regarding children and young people affected by drill music