Mum of Luton teen stabbed to death continues campaign against knife crime

Roseann Taylor, the mother of 18-year-old Azaan Kaleem - who died nearly three years ago, will be one of the keynote speakers at the event hosted by the Bedfordshire Violence and Exploitation Reduction Unit (VERU).

‘Exploitation through the lens of parents’ will be held online on Thursday, February 25, from 9.30am to 3.30pm.

It is aimed at helping those who work with young people across Bedfordshire to spot the signs of gang grooming and criminal exploitation.

Ms Taylor is set to talk about her experience of losing her son to knife crime, as well as her work with the VERU’s Youth Intervention Specialist (YIS) team, which has received more than 100 referrals to work with children at risk.

She said: “Three years on and I am delighted to be in this space keeping the message going – we can all make a difference if we all work together.”

Tasha Case, YIS Team Leader at the VERU, said: “It has been a challenging, although positive first year in service for the VERU YIS team. Having both professional and lived experience specialists has enabled us to continue to support and engage with young people and their families during these difficult times.”

The event will also include presentations from other members of the VERU YIS team, the National Working Group Exploitation Response Unit, SPACE, Link to Change and FACES, as well as parents who have been affected by exploitation.

The conference will explore the impact of exploitation within the family, missed opportunities, inclusion of parents and contextual safeguarding.

If you would like to book a place on the conference or find out more about spotting the signs of exploitation, please visit https://bedsveru.org/help-us-shine-a-light-on-exploitation/

Find out more by about the Bedfordshire VERU by visiting https://bedsveru.org/