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Date: April 30, 2024 Tue
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Results for gangs (u.k.)
16 results foundAuthor: Great Britain. Department for Children, Schools and Families Title: Safeguarding Children and Young People Who May be Affected by Gang Activity Summary: This guidance is intended for frontline practitioners in voluntary and statutory services across the children's workforce, whether in social care, crime prevention, the police, prisons, probation, health or education. It should help one to understand the nature of risk that gang activity poses to children, how signs of gang involvement may manifest themselves and provide guidance on dealing with these issues. Details: London: Home Office, 2010. 52p. Source: Online Resource Year: 2010 Country: United Kingdom URL: Shelf Number: 118335 Keywords: Gangs (U.K.) |
Author: Brand, Anthony Title: Gangs at the Grassroots: Community Solutions to Street Violence Summary: This research focuses on violent and criminal gangs rather than broadly defined anti-social behavior or youth crime. It looks primarily at how to maximize the impact of local interventions that target people involved in or on the fringes of gangs. It highlights how top-down responses and crack-downs on youth crime can do little to address the underlying drivers of gangs and their criminality. It suggests that local, multi-agency frameworks are key to addressing gang violence, and effective solutions must simultaneously deliver a range of interventions across education, health, policing, youth-work, community engagement, economic development, regeneration, skills and training and family support, all tailored to the specific communities and context in which different gangs operate. Details: London: New Local Government Network, 2008. 36p. Source: Internet Resource Year: 2008 Country: United Kingdom URL: Shelf Number: 118781 Keywords: Gangs (U.K.)Inter-Agency CooperationIntervention ProgramsYouth GangsYouth Violence |
Author: Firmin, Carlene Title: Female Voice in Violence Project: A Study Into the Impact of Serious Youth and Gang Violence on Women and Girls Summary: The Female Voice in Violence Project report draws on face-to-face research with 352 friends, relatives, victims or perpetrators of gangs and gang violence. Ranging in age from 13-52, the experiences of these women and girls highlight lessons for policy makers and those working to prevent serious youth violence. The research highlighted concerns about the lack of appropriate services available to those females caught up in gangs, the use of sexual violence by gang members, and the impact of serious violence on their sexual and mental health. It highlights ways of supporting women and girls to exit the lifestyle and culture of serious violence - whether as sisters, mothers or girlfriends of gang members, or gang members themselves. The role of local, regional and national policy in supporting this agenda is also examined. Details: London: Race on the Agenda (ROTA), 2010. 136p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed December 7, 2010 at: http://www.rota.org.uk/downloads/FVV%20PARTNERSHIP%20REPORT%20FINAL_no%20case%20studies.pdf Year: 2010 Country: United Kingdom URL: http://www.rota.org.uk/downloads/FVV%20PARTNERSHIP%20REPORT%20FINAL_no%20case%20studies.pdf Shelf Number: 120403 Keywords: Female Gang MembersGang ViolenceGangs (U.K.)Sexual Violence |
Author: Haddock, Eleanor Title: Perceptions and Risk Factors of Gang Association in a UK Sample Summary: The thesis reviewed research around gang membership in adolescents, particularly difficulties defining gangs and the impact this has on quantifying the gang problem and gang crime. Moreover, risk factors associated with gang membership and violence was discussed. The thesis also attempted to explore individual and family risk factors in a UK sample in order to ascertain the consistency of such findings. The research aimed to compare different levels of gang membership based on criteria to define gangs, types of gang crime and motives for joining a gang. There was generally consistency between the groups in these areas. Moreover, the groups were compared on a number of psychological characteristics including violent cognitions, self-esteem and attachment to peers and parents. There were significant differences between the group acquainted with gangs and those with no affiliation on the Machismo subscale, and Father Alienation, Mother Trust and Communication, and the Personal and Parental Self-esteem subscales. All but the Machismo and Father Alienation subscales demonstrated lower scores for the acquainted group. However, the Machismo subscale scores and the Father Alienation scores were higher in the acquainted group compared to the not affiliated group. The psychometric properties of the Inventory of Parent and Peer Attachment (IPPA) were found to have adequate to excellent properties but also a number of limitations. Finally, the case study provided an example of successful interventions when working with gang-involved individuals. The utility of the findings are discussed in relation to future research and future intervention and prevention strategies. Details: Birmingham, UK: School of Psychology, University of Birmingham, 2011. 173p. Source: Internet Resource: Thesis: Accessed October 25, 2011 at: http://etheses.bham.ac.uk/1499/5/Haddock11ForenPsyD.pdf Year: 2011 Country: United Kingdom URL: http://etheses.bham.ac.uk/1499/5/Haddock11ForenPsyD.pdf Shelf Number: 123123 Keywords: Gang ViolenceGangs (U.K.)Youth Gangs |
Author: Department for Children, Schools and Families Title: Safeguarding children and young people who may be affected by gang activity Summary: There are a number of areas in which young people are put at risk by gang activity, both through participation in and as victims of gang violence. Safeguarding procedures can provide a key tool for all agencies working with young people to assist them when working together to prevent young people from being drawn into gangs, to support those who have been drawn into the margins of gangs; and to protect those who are at immediate risk of harm either as members or victims of gangs. This practice guidance is addressed to those who work in voluntary and statutory services across the children’s workforce, social care, crime prevention, the police, prisons and probation, offender management, health, education and all others whose work brings them into contact with children and young people. It is intended to help agencies and practitioners respond effectively to the needs of children and young people – girls and young women, as well as boys and young men – who are at risk of gang-related violence and harm. To that end, the guidance outlines factors for agencies and practitioners to consider and processes to follow in terms of identification, referral, and assessment and support for young people who may be affected by gang activity. It also looks at the reasons young people become involved in gangs, the particular risks associated with gang membership for the young people and the risks of being affected by gang activity in other ways. Details: London: Home Office, Department for Children, Schools and Families, 2010. 56p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed on January 23, 2012 at https://www.education.gov.uk/publications/eOrderingDownload/DCSF-00064-2010.pdf Year: 2010 Country: United Kingdom URL: https://www.education.gov.uk/publications/eOrderingDownload/DCSF-00064-2010.pdf Shelf Number: 123759 Keywords: Anti-Social BehaviorGangs (U.K.)Juvenile Victims |
Author: Joseph, Ian Title: Gangs Revisited: What's a Gang and What's Race Got to Do with It? Politics and Policy into Practice Summary: Gangs and youth violence are strangely fascinating topics for researchers, politicians, the media and the public. This perhaps reached its high tide mark with the Prime Minster declaring ‘a concerted, allout war on gangs and gang culture’ in a speech at a youth centre in Witney, his Oxfordshire constituency in late August 2011 following the summer riots. Gangs remain very much on the political agenda. Yet the more we write and talk about them, the less we seem to understand. For this reason, ‘gangs’ are useful vehicles to identify how we negotiate the complexities around youth and crime. There appears to be no consensus as what ‘gangs’ actually are or if they even exist, let alone how and why they form. However, as Runnymede has argued in previous publications – A Tale of Two Englands: ‘Race’ and Violent Crime in the Press and (Re)Thinking Gangs: Gangs, Youth Violence and Public Policy – it is clear that the public debates around gangs and youth violence are viewed and projected through the lens of race and ethnicity. The August Riots have thrown this into stark contrast. It is hard to find a better example of this than the historian and broadcaster Dr David Starkey’s view that ‘the problem is that the whites have become black’ (Newsnight, BBC Television, 13 August 2011) – one of many examples within the rightwing press that linked crime with race and young people. We challenge this view, rather saying that a combination of high unemployment, low school attainment and an absence of a stake in society felt among young people in some communities was creating the conditions where conflict might erupt. Furthermore, in two recent reports (Passing the Baton: Inter-generational Conceptions of Race and Racism in Birmingham and Fair’s Fair: Equality and Justice in the Big Society), the Runnymede Trust had even named Croydon and Birmingham – sites of conflict in these riots – as potential flashpoints. Joseph and Gunter are right to point out that liberal left anti-racists (Runnymede included) have failed to develop a convincing counter-argument to these cultural explanations popular with politicians and the right-wing press which link violent crime to young people. Perhaps consequently, we find ourselves in a position where anti-racist campaigners deny any role of culture in crime patterns, whereas the right-wing press revels in asserting over and over again that black cultures are inherently criminogenic. The authors helpfully suggest that we need to strike a balance between acknowledging the problem and not being hysterical about it. In order to find that balance, we need a frank debate on the relationship between structure and culture, and how particular aspects of this discussion have influenced policy for better or worse. This challenging paper throws up several important questions on where the debate is currently going, and why the authors think we have reached an impasse. Perhaps finding solutions would be best done by an amended policing presence, ‘better’ parenting or whatever policy suits your ideological slant. Still, within this chorus of opinions, it is hard to hear the voice of young people themselves. There’s a lot of good work being done with disaffected youth, as the authors know well by virtue of being involved in this work themselves, but young people’s voices are conspicuously absent from policy making. Campaigns such as 99 Per Cent and the Stopwatch Youth Group are seeking to rectify this. These youth led campaigns show that when young people have a platform to voice their opinions, they demonstrate a nuanced understanding of why they and their peers do what they do. Whilst this need to understand does not condone, it does set a context for ensuring that events such as the riots in August do not happen again and lessons are learnt. It must be worth acknowledging that a way out of this impasse identified in these papers is to enable young people to do the talking and policy makers to listen to them. Details: London: Runnymeade, 2011. 32p. Source: Runnymeade Perspectives: Internet Resource: Accessed February 5, 2012 at http://www.runnymedetrust.org/uploads/publications/pdfs/GangsRevisited(online)-2011.pdf Year: 2011 Country: United Kingdom URL: http://www.runnymedetrust.org/uploads/publications/pdfs/GangsRevisited(online)-2011.pdf Shelf Number: 123984 Keywords: Gangs (U.K.)Race and CrimeYouth Violence |
Author: Pearce, J.J. Title: Youth Gangs, Sexual Violence and Sexual Exploitation. A Scoping Exercise for The Office of the Children’s Commissioner for England Summary: This report outlines the findings of a scoping exercise on Youth Gangs, Sexual Violence and Sexual Exploitation undertaken for the Children's Commissioner for England. The data collected for this scoping exercise is derived from two main sources: o A literature review using key words/phrases including: gangs; young people; sexual violence; sexual violence against girls and young women; sexual violence against boys and young men; sexual exploitation in gang-affected neighbourhoods. It has accessed scholarly literature, central and local government reports and policy documents (e.g. Manchester City Council Child Protection Scrutiny Committee report, West Yorkshire Police Authority Gang Culture Scoping Exercise report) the publications of relevant think tanks (e.g. Centre for Social Justice), pressure groups (e.g. Race on the Agenda) and children's charities (e.g. NSPCC, Barnardo‟s, St Michael‟s Fellowship, The Children‟s Society). The remit of the review includes literature published before the end of January 2011; Appendix one includes brief reference to a number of key documents published after this point. o Interviews with lay and professional „key informants‟ with experience of living and working in gang-affected neighbourhoods and of working with sexual violence (including sexual exploitation) directed against children and young people. Details: Bedford, UK: University of Bedfordshire, Institute for Applied Social Research; London: Children's Commissioner for England, 2011. 52p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed August 10, 2012 at: http://www.beds.ac.uk/__data/assets/pdf_file/0003/127371/OCC_Uni-of-Beds-Literature-Review_FINAL.pdf Year: 2011 Country: United Kingdom URL: http://www.beds.ac.uk/__data/assets/pdf_file/0003/127371/OCC_Uni-of-Beds-Literature-Review_FINAL.pdf Shelf Number: 125957 Keywords: Gangs (U.K.)Sexual AssaultSexual ExploitationSexual ViolenceYouth Gangs |
Author: The Centre for Social Justice Title: Time to Wake Up: Tackling Gangs One Year After the Riots Summary: In 2009 the Centre for Social Justice published Dying to Belong, a landmark review of street gangs in the UK. We argued that gang culture is symptomatic of even deeper social problems: chaotic families; absent fathers; young people cut adrift and lacking purpose; and a revolving door criminal justice system which does nothing to change lives. In Dying to Belong we argued that without concerted action to mend our broken society more violent and appalling disorder will rear its ugly head. There is nothing more dangerous than a group of people who feel they have nothing to gain and nothing to lose. This truth was loudly confirmed when last summer’s riots erupted. Gangs played a significant role in the riots and it is dangerous to pretend otherwise – in London at least one in five of those convicted was known to be part of a gang. One year on, we have talked to members of our UK-wide Alliance of small, frontline organisations and charities asking them how they feel gang culture has changed in the light of the government response. Worryingly, many have drawn us a picture of little or no progress, despite the publication of a positive political strategy. Some have even suggested that the problem is becoming worse with increased violence amongst younger gang members and growing numbers of girls joining gangs. There is also deep concern that the Government is not serious about making a long-term commitment to tackling gang culture and its roots. Many in Whitehall regard the riots as a random one-off and mistake the quashing of the disorder as control of the streets. They could not be more wrong.The alarming fact is that many streets across the country are besieged by anarchy and violence. There is no control in such neighbourhoods. Gangs policy cannot be allowed to drift. To do so would be to give up on children and young people who have already been badly let down. It would leave communities ever more vulnerable to even larger, more active gangs in the future. The Government must rediscover the momentum and commitment it once had to tackle gangs. Without a reversal of the social breakdown and disorder that characterises too much of life in our most deprived communities, we will continue to see wasted generation after wasted generation. And countless other young people will lose their lives to this tragic and pointless violence. In the aftermath of last year’s riots, the Prime Minister declared ‘an all-out war on gangs and culture’ in response to claims that such groups played a significant role in the disorder. Over the past 12 months their part has been continually called into question. Elements of the media have leapt upon the finding that, outside of London, fewer than one in ten arrestees were gang members, citing this as proof that gangs were not pivotal. Statistics revealing that one in five of those arrested in London was a known gang member have been downplayed. Details: London: The Centre for Social Justice, 2012. 15p. Source: Policy Paper: Internet Resource: Accessed November 3, 2012 at http://www.centreforsocialjustice.org.uk/client/images/Gangs%20Report.pdf Year: 2012 Country: United Kingdom URL: http://www.centreforsocialjustice.org.uk/client/images/Gangs%20Report.pdf Shelf Number: 126862 Keywords: Antisocial BehaviorCrime Prevention ProgramsDisorderly ConductGang ViolenceGangs (U.K.)Intervention ProgramsNuisance Behaviors and DisordersRiots |
Author: Great Britain. Home Office Title: Statutory Guidance: Injunctions to Prevent Gang-Related Violence Summary: This statutory guidance on injunctions to prevent gang-related violence draws on the experience and knowledge of the police service, local authorities and a wide range of local partners involved in dealing with violent gangs. It has been developed and approved by partners across the Criminal Justice System, as well as local practitioners. It has been produced after consultation with the Lord Chief Justice and the Master of the Rolls, and has been laid before Parliament by the Home Secretary. The Policing and Crime Act 2009 (‘the 2009 Act’) contains provision for injunctions to prevent gang-related violence to be sought against an individual; the Crime and Security Act 2010 contains provision for breach of an injunction to be enforced against 14–17 year olds. This document provides guidance on the use of injunctions for those aged 18 and over only. It is envisaged that injunctions to address gang-related violence for 14-17 year olds will be piloted in 2011 and that this guidance will be updated accordingly. Details: London: The Stationery Office, 2010. 56p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed November 20, 2012 at: http://www.official-documents.gov.uk/document/other/9780108509599/9780108509599.pdf Year: 2010 Country: United Kingdom URL: http://www.official-documents.gov.uk/document/other/9780108509599/9780108509599.pdf Shelf Number: 126933 Keywords: Gang ViolenceGangs (U.K.)InjunctionsPolicing, Gang Units |
Author: Khan, Lorraine Title: A Need to Belong: What Leads Girls to Join Gangs Summary: This report follows the largest study of its kind, analysing risk factors related to offending from more than 8,000 young people screened as part of the newly developed youth point of arrest health screening initiative. Entrants to the youth justice system were screened for 28 different risk factors and health issues including histories of poor mental health, family conflict, homelessness and victimisation. On average, young women involved with gangs had more than double the number of vulnerabilities than the other girls who were screened after arrest. The results of the screening shows clear evidence of the psychological vulnerability of gang involved young women. Just over a quarter were identified as having a suspected mental health problem and 30% were identified as self-harming or at risk of suicide. Details: London: Centre for Mental Health, 2013 36p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed May 22, 2013 at: http://www.centreformentalhealth.org.uk/pdfs/A_need_to_belong.pdf Year: 2013 Country: United Kingdom URL: http://www.centreformentalhealth.org.uk/pdfs/A_need_to_belong.pdf Shelf Number: 128783 Keywords: Female Gang MembersGangs (U.K.)Mental Health |
Author: Young, Tara Title: The Role of the Family in Facilitating Gang Membership, Criminality and Exit. A Report prepared for Catch22 Summary: The role of the 'gang' in shaping and encouraging criminality has an ever-increasing profile within the criminal justice system, the third sector and across the political landscape. The growing perceived threat from the gang has occurred against the background of increasingly restrictive legislation and numerous policy documents focusing on what might be responsible for the possible rise in gang membership. One often-cited factor is the role of the family and its influence on gang membership. It is this relationship that the report explores. Research aims The overarching aim of the research was to examine the role of the family in gang formation criminality and exit in order to inform best practice for practitioners working with gang-involved families. Methodology Catch22 commissioned an exploratory piece of qualitative research based on a literature review, semi-structured interviews and focus groups (91 interviews across the study). The interviews were conducted with former and current gang members, families of gang members and practitioners working with gang-involved individuals and their relatives. The sample is broadly drawn from areas with reputations for high gang activity. In order to capture the geographical, ethnic and cultural differences in gang membership the research was conducted across three sites: London, the West Midlands (Wolverhampton and Birmingham) and Scotland (Glasgow). Findings The role of the family in gang formation - People who associate with or are in gangs come from all types of families. Irrespective of family composition, the majority of respondents described families experiencing multiple difficulties (such as economic deprivation, family separation, bereavement, domestic violence, imprisonment, and alcohol and substance misuse) that preceded their involvement with gangs. This supports findings elsewhere that suggest successful family interventions have a range of positive generic outcomes, for example gang desistance to reduction in truancy, and drug and alcohol problems. - In regard to family composition, the evidence of this report suggests that the combination of multiple family difficulties and gang involvement is more likely to occur, and will have more severe consequences, in single-parent, larger than average families. However, it should be borne in mind that gang activity was also found in dual-parent and smaller families. - The role of the family should not be overstated as a key driver of gang formation. It occasionally plays a role in driving young people into gangs but the wider socio-economic context is often as, if not more, important. The family and the influence of the gang - The gang's influence on the family should not be overstated. Gang involvement by one family member is not likely to infringe on the wider family's personal safety or mean all family members will join a gang. - The structure, influence, definition and activities of the gang are not uniform. Gangs are influenced by geography and ethnicity, therefore the consequences for and influence on the family of gang membership will differ between London, Scotland and the West Midlands. - The vast majority of families experience a member's gang involvement as an additional and significant problem in their lives that may precipitate serious consequences (physical, emotional or punitive) for the gang member. - Gang involvement is likely to increase the risk of victimisation to those family members directly involved and to their associates and friends. - Although some family members may benefit materially from the criminality of their children, these benefits are usually overshadowed by the feelings of helplessness, shame, tension and anxiety that gang-involved family members can generate. - Beleaguered families feel they lack the ability to impose appropriate boundaries and the necessary skills to address their children's gang involvement. This feeling of powerlessness is most acute when their children reach adolescence. The role of the family in desistance - Male siblings and/or wider family members play a significant role in encouraging gang membership, whilst mothers and sisters are key enablers in facilitating desistance and exit from a gang. - Leaving a gang is difficult, not primarily due to fears of gang-led reprisals or violent leaving rituals, but due to the perceived lack of viable alternatives for gang members. - Family members and networks can facilitate gang exit but success is driven by the gang member themselves. - Practitioners need to be aware of the local criminal landscape and be sensitive to multiple family issues. They will need to deploy strategies that can empower family members who are sometimes complicit, sometimes in denial and sometimes ignorant of their family members' involvement with gangs. - Despite the plethora of recent initiatives, there still remain gang-affected families and individuals who feel shunned and isolated from current attempts to engage them. - A change in physical location (family-assisted or not), away from local gangs and criminal opportunities, was seen by family members to be the most effective strategy for gang exit. Details: London: London Metropolitan University, 2013. 98p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed May 3, 2014 at: http://www.catch-22.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/Catch22-Dawes-Unit-The-role-of-the-family-June-2013.pdf Year: 2013 Country: United Kingdom URL: http://www.catch-22.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/Catch22-Dawes-Unit-The-role-of-the-family-June-2013.pdf Shelf Number: 132220 Keywords: DesistanceFamily InfluencesFamily InterventionsGangs (U.K.)Youth Gangs |
Author: Clear Plan Title: Fear and Fashion Programme Evaluation Summary: Research was commissioned in 2004 to support the Bridge House Trust to identify how it could best make a contribution to addressing the problem of knife crime and young people in London by determining: what were the key factors involved in young people deciding to carry knives and weapons? what was the scale of the problem? and what were the most effective types of intervention? 'Fear and Fashion: The use of knives and other weapons by young people' was the report which emerged, based on an examination of the available evidence. Additional primary research into the perceptions and experiences of practitioners working with young people extended this analysis. The report concluded that there were two main reasons for young people carrying knives: fear of violence from other young people, and to obtain status amongst their peers for carrying and/or being willing to use a knife. The primary recommendation of the report was the need for demonstration or pilot projects to combat the problem. Details: London: City Bridge Trust, 2010. 32p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed May 10, 2014 at: http://www.citybridgetrust.org.uk/NR/rdonlyres/1C16AAF8-522A-4474-B477-B2C96CA84660/0/CBTFearAndFashionEvaluationReport.pdf Year: 2010 Country: United Kingdom URL: http://www.citybridgetrust.org.uk/NR/rdonlyres/1C16AAF8-522A-4474-B477-B2C96CA84660/0/CBTFearAndFashionEvaluationReport.pdf Shelf Number: 132321 Keywords: Gangs (U.K.)Knife CrimeKnivesWeaponsYouth Violence |
Author: Imafidon, Kenny Title: The Kenny Report. How do politics and eocnomics affect gangs and serious youth violence across the UK? Summary: The word 'gang' means different things to different people: for some it may be a group of three or more people with hoodies; or a group of young people who hang about in their local estate till late in the night; or a group of people who join up to commit criminal offences. Gangs and serious youth violence have affected our country for years, especially in major cities such as London, Manchester, Liverpool and Birmingham. Gangs have been around for decades and have been constantly evolving over the years, they are far from a new problem generated by our modern society. There has been some criticism that the government has not established a single definition that can explain what a gang is for everyone else to understand. In addition, the word 'gang' is widely and loosely used in our society by members of the public, by the media, and by professionals and politicians etc. The widely accepted definition of a gang, which I agree with to a degree, is set out in the Centre for Social Justice's 2009 Report, Dying to Belong. The Centre for Social Justice 2009 report Dying to Belong defines a gang as: "A relatively durable, predominantly street-based group of young people who: 1. See themselves (and are seen by others) as a discernible group; 2. Engage in criminal activity and violence; 3. Lay claim over territory (this is not necessarily geographical territory but can include an illegal economy as territory); 4. Have some form of identifying structural feature 5. Are in conflict with other, similar gangs." Gangs and serious youth violence obviously create social disorder and have a detrimental effect on our society. The big question everyone is asking is how do we solve this gang problem, because the justice system is clearly not deterring the growth of gangs and serious youth violence in our society? At the same time there have been many inquiries, investigations and academic research to "find out about and understand the objective characteristics of gangs such as their history, territories, size, nature and the risk factors that prompt gang involvement. Thanks to all this extensive study and research we are now at a point where we can objectively understand the many dynamics of a gang. Yet all the research we have on gangs still leaves us stuck asking the same big question year after year, government after government: "How do we solve this gang problem?" Gangs consist of people, just like you and me, and yet there is very little research that sets out to understand the subjective characteristics of the people directly or indirectly involved in gangs. Too much time is spent understanding gangs as a whole and not enough time is spent tackling the root of the problem, which must surely include a deeper understanding of the individuals who make up these gangs, the people actively involved in the violence that take place in our communities every day. Understanding the individuals and not the group will enable us to better understand the socio-economic issues that these communities face. Only when we understand the relationship between socio-economic factors and gang involvement, particularly in our deprived communities, can we make the right changes, and start to get to the heart of the problem. It is not possible to solve a problem you do not understand, nor one you do not want to solve. This report asks the question: "How do politics and economics affect gangs and serious youth violence across the UK?" It is based on a highly detailed case study of an individual called Harro, who society would see as a gang member and a cold hearted villain, but who would be described by his friends and family as a decent person with good manners and a heart of gold, and who would do whatever he could for his family and friends. This central case study provides an insight into the thoughts and feelings of a single real-life individual, and the level of socio-economic deprivation he faced. A young man full of potential, who would still be alive today had the support he needed been in place when he needed it. This case study shows us how ill-informed social policy and the ongoing cuts in the youth sector have affected Harro, his family, and many others like them in their community. This case study is based on one individual but this one individual shares characteristics with many young people involved in gangs, for example feelings of hopelessness, exclusion from society, socio-economic deprivation, growing up without positive male role models and not knowing how to get out of it all and "find help to exit that lifestyle. This report analyses seven significant influences, which affect young men like Harro and which steer them in the direction of gang membership and committing serious youth violence. These areas are: education, employment prospects, positive role models, housing, health, relationships and socialisation awareness, and community support. Details: London: Safer London Foundation, 2012. 52p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed August 12, 2014 at: http://www.saferlondonfoundation.org/resources.php Year: 2012 Country: United Kingdom URL: http://www.saferlondonfoundation.org/resources.php Shelf Number: 133000 Keywords: Gang ViolenceGangs (U.K.)Juvenile OffendersPovertySocioeconomic Conditions and Crime |
Author: Hughes, Karen Title: The mental health needs of gang-affiliated young people Summary: Executive summary - Research is beginning to expose the high burden of mental illness faced by young people involved with gangs. Gang members are at increased risk of a range of mental health conditions including conduct disorder, antisocial personality disorder, anxiety, psychosis and drug and alcohol dependence (section 2) - The links between gang-affiliation and poor mental health can operate in both directions. Poor mental wellbeing can draw young people to gangs while gang involvement can negatively impact on an individual's mental health (section 3) - Violence is an inherent part of gang culture and gang members are at increased risk of involvement in violence as both perpetrators and victims. Long-term exposure to violence is associated with psychological problems including depression, conduct disorders and post-traumatic stress disorder (section 3) - Poor mental health and gang-affiliation share many common risk factors, often relating to young people's early life experiences and the environments in which they grow up. The more risk factors young people are exposed to the greater their vulnerability to negative outcomes (section 4) - Girls involved with gangs can be particularly vulnerable to mental health problems resulting from sexual and intimate partner violence (section 5) Preventing the development of risk factors and promoting mental wellbeing in young people requires a life course approach that supports parents and families and encourages healthy development from the very earliest stages of life (section 6) - Programmes such as home visiting, parenting programmes, preschool programmes and school-based social and emotional development programmes can protect children from the risk factors for gang involvement and poor mental health, including parental stress, exposure to violence and behavioural problems (section 6). - Evidence-based, relevant, accessible and non-stigmatising community interventions should be available in gang-affected areas to promote health and emotional wellbeing, support recovery from mental illness and help young people move away from harmful gang-related activities (section 7) - Gang-affiliated young people may experience particular barriers to engaging with mental health and other services. Novel approaches are required, including the provision of holistic support in young peoples' own environments and the use of key workers or mentors who are able to build trusting relationships with young people involved with gangs (section 7). - Effectively addressing the relationships between gang-affiliation and poor mental health requires a strong, collaborative approach that co-ordinates services across a wide range of organisations. Health services, local authorities, schools, criminal justice agencies and communities all have an important role to play in promoting healthy social and emotional development in children and young people and ensuring vulnerable young people affected by gangs and poor mental health receive the support they require. Details: London: Public Health England, 2015. 42p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed February 3, 2015 at: https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/398674/The_mental_health_needs_of_gang-affiliated_young_people_v3_23_01_1.pdf Year: 2015 Country: United Kingdom URL: https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/398674/The_mental_health_needs_of_gang-affiliated_young_people_v3_23_01_1.pdf Shelf Number: 134520 Keywords: Gangs (U.K.)Mental HealthMental Health ServicesYouth Gangs |
Author: Beckett, Helen Title: Research into gang-associated sexual exploitation and sexual violence: Interim report Summary: This interim report outlines the progress of the ongoing research into gang-associated sexual exploitation and sexual violence in England, being conducted by The International Centre for the Study of Sexually Exploited and Trafficked Young People and The Vauxhall Centre for the Study of Crime within the Institute of Applied Social Research (IASR) at the University of Bedfordshire. The research into children and young people-s experiences of gang-associated sexual exploitation and sexual violence is exploring: - The scale and nature of the issue in the specific areas of England under study; - Pathways into gang-associated sexual exploitation and sexual violence for young people living in these gang-affected neighbourhoods; and - Potential models of response. The research is being conducted over the two-year period of the OCC Inquiry (Autumn 2011 to Autumn 2013). It has a narrower focus than the Inquiry, considering only those forms of sexual exploitation and sexual violence occurring in or related to gangs, as defined below. As the prevalence and nature of such gangs varies significantly across the country, exposure to these issues also varies significantly for young people living in different communities and locales. Fieldwork is being undertaken in six different areas of England with differing gang histories and experiences. The identity of the research sites is not being released in order to protect potential participants; they do however reflect a broad range of experiences and different demographic profiles. Details: Luton, Bedfordshire, UK: University of Bedfordshire, 2012. 14p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed March 20, 2015: http://www.lscbchairs.org.uk/sitedata/files/University_of_Bedfordshire.pdf Year: 2012 Country: United Kingdom URL: http://www.lscbchairs.org.uk/sitedata/files/University_of_Bedfordshire.pdf Shelf Number: 134986 Keywords: Gangs (U.K.)Sexual ExploitationSexual Violence |
Author: Young, Tara Title: Risky Youth or Gang Members? A contextual critique of the (re)discovery of gangs in Britain Summary: The aim of this body of work has been to explore the anti-social behaviour and criminality of disaffected young people. In particular, my focus has been on how the perception of young offenders as 'youth at risk' needing guidance has metamorphosed into one of 'gang' membership requiring a punitive response. My work examines how community agencies and the criminal justice system have responded to this shift and focuses on the consequences for young people. Theoretically, this body of work has been influenced by a constructionist epistemology and incorporates a feminist methodology. The research work upon which this body of work rests consists mainly of qualitative research with marginalised young people, family members and practitioners working with them. My findings, detailed in various publications, have challenged assumptions about anti-social youngsters, the nature of collective offending by young people and the role the family plays in 'gang-related' offending. Most notably, they have sought to shape academic and political discourse in Britain by adopting a critical position against the prevailing view that 'gang-related' offending is the primary driver for the rise in violent offences. The work has contributed to the conceptualisation of 'gang' groups as they exist in contemporary Britain. It has influenced public policy on the gang, particularly in relation to defining the gang, on crime control and it has rerouted the debate about the involvement of girls and young women in street-based groups. Details: London: London Metropolitan University, 2016. 50p. Source: Internet Resource: Thesis: Accessed May 17, 2018 at: http://repository.londonmet.ac.uk/920/1/YoungTara_RiskyYouthOrGangMembers.pdf Year: 2016 Country: United Kingdom URL: http://repository.londonmet.ac.uk/920/1/YoungTara_RiskyYouthOrGangMembers.pdf Shelf Number: 150252 Keywords: Anti-Social BehaviorAt-Risk YouthGangs (U.K.)Youth Gangs |