Protect / Toybox

Gang violence is currently out of control on the streets of Guatemala and El Salvador.

Gang violence is not new. But economic hardship following the pandemic has given gangs new opportunities to tighten their grip on the most vulnerable communities. And many of the children we work with everyday – children we know by name – are now at risk of being abducted and forced into a life of violence. This would undo all of our good work.

We need your help to protect vulnerable children from the lethal influence of gang violence.

Protect a child today

Violent tactics

Right now violent tactics are being used to recruit street children

Gangs threaten street children with violence if they refuse

Joining a street gang is not a decision any child would choose to make. Many young people join gangs because they are threatened with violence if they refuse. They do what they are told or else they or their family suffer horrific consequences.

In gang-controlled areas, parents are just as powerless

In gang-controlled areas, parents are as powerless as their children. Once a child has been targeted for recruitment, there is very little a parent can do to stop them. And those without parents are even more vulnerable.

Gangs benefit from  the many street children not registered at birth

Many street children are not registered at birth. Their governments do not recognise them as citizens or accept responsibility for them. The sad fact is that if people like our partners don’t protect street children from gangs, nobody else will.

Male dominated  gangs pose a significant  threat to young girls

Street gangs are male dominated. But they pose as much, if not more, of a threat to young girls. Many suffer the trauma of being sexually assaulted or coerced into violent relationships. Their rights are not respected and femicide rates are shockingly high.

We cannot take on the gangs.
But we must protect the children.

Donate

Emergency appeal Gang
violence Is putting the work we do with
street children at risk

Gang violence is currently out of control on the streets of Guatemala and El Salvador.

Right now violent tactics are being used to recruit street children

Keep a child safe with an emergency gift today

£27

£63

£146

Emergency appeal Gang violence Is putting the work we do with street children at risk

Gang violence is currently out of control on the streets of Guatemala and El Salvador.

Right now violent tactics are being used to recruit street children

Keep a child safe with an emergency gift today

£27

£63

£146

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Emergency appeal Gang
violence Is putting the work we do with
street children at risk