News and Events
BBC News Interviews Voyage - Child Q
Last week, Voyage was honoured to host a team from BBC London News at our offices in Hackney, where they came to speak with our young people about one of the most disturbing and widely reported cases in recent years: the strip search of a 15-year-old Black schoolgirl, known publicly as “Child Q”.
The visit was part of a BBC feature examining the long-term impact of the incident, not only on the individual affected but on young people across London, especially Black and global majority youth who saw themselves reflected in her experience.
For many of the young people at Voyage, this wasn’t just a headline. It was a confirmation of long-held fears about the reality of being overpoliced, misjudged, and adultified. In the session, they spoke candidly about how the case affected them emotionally, mentally, and socially.
"When I heard about Child Q, it made me scared. Scared because I wear the same uniform. I walk the same streets. That could’ve been me."
Our participants shared their stories, concerns and hopes with strength, intelligence and honesty. They spoke not just about trauma, but about resilience and the need for meaningful change.
You can read the full BBC article here:
“Could that happen to me?”: Teenagers on the impact of the Child Q strip search
This moment was a significant milestone for Voyage. It reaffirmed our position as a vital space for young people to process, analyse and challenge the world around them. It also demonstrated the power of youth voice when given the platform it deserves.
We know that for systemic issues to change, young people must be part of the conversation, not as a token gesture, but as leaders and changemakers in their own right. That’s why at Voyage we continue to centre their voices, build their confidence, and equip them with the tools to speak truth to power.
We are incredibly proud of the young people who took part in this discussion. They did not shy away from difficult truths. They showed bravery, empathy, and a clear desire for a safer and more just society.
We’d also like to thank the BBC for taking the time to listen. For recognising that young people, especially Black youth, have important perspectives that the world needs to hear.
This is just one of many conversations we’re having with young people around justice, equity and empowerment. And we are committed to continuing this work, through leadership development, policy engagement, and community healing.
"It’s not just about what happened to Child Q. It’s about making sure it doesn’t happen again."
