The Centre for Health Services Studies at the University of Kent, in collaboration with the Kent and Medway Violence Reduction Unit (KMVRU), is embarking on a research journey from March 2023 to March 2025. We are evaluating the effectiveness of the voluntary electronic tag scheme known as the “Buddi Tag.”
This initiative, under the leadership of the Kent and Medway Violence Reduction Unit, aims to enhance the safety and well-being of young people who voluntarily participate in the Buddi Tag program. The research team, composed of experts from both the Violence Reduction Unit and the University of Kent, is committed to delving into key aspects of the program’s impact
Buddi Tag wearers represent a diverse group, including young individuals vulnerable to exploitation and those who may have engaged in anti-social behaviour. Furthermore, the program extends its support to individuals eager to initiate positive personal and social changes, offering a deterrent to negative influences or providing necessary support for behavioural changes in their lives.
In essence, the Buddi Tag program serves as a vital mechanism to provide assistance and structure for individuals at critical junctures in their lives, fostering an environment where vulnerability is acknowledged, and positive changes are not only encouraged but actively supported. It is within this nuanced context that our research endeavours to comprehensively evaluate the program’s effectiveness, examining its impact on the safety, well-being, and social trajectories of those who voluntarily engage with the Buddi Tag initiative.
