Get informed : Violence

VIOLENCE AND CRIMINALITY

The amount of direct or indirect violence present in a gang depends on the gang’s level of organization and the presence of an established hierarchy. The target of the gang may include:

• the social circle of current and potential gang members (family, close friends)
• residents (theft, vandalism)
• store owners
• members of other gangs, and people close to them

GUY AND GIRLS: DIFFERENT REALITIES

Guys and girls usually play very different roles in street gangs.

Guys:

• Form the majority of members
• May, depending on their place in the hierarchy, direct, plan, and organize gang activities, execute decisions, recruit and initiate new members, and punish members who try to quit the gang

Girls:

• Form a minority of gang members
• Usually do not have official status
• Are often perceived as sexual objects, and exploited (nude dancing, escort work, prostitution)
• May be active in recruitment, spying, shoplifting, look-out during crimes, and arms and drugs trafficking

THE SEX TRADE

For girls, being in a street gang often is synonymous with sexual exploitation. It is likely that, sooner or later, girls will find themselves in the sex trade (nude dancing, escort work, prostitution).

Getting started in the sex trade is a gradual process and may result in you becoming cornered into a position you can’t easily get out of. It’s much better to avoid the trap and get help as soon as your realize that you’re in danger!

The golden handcuffs. Maybe the sex trade attracts you because of the material benefits (clothes, jewellery, alcohol, drugs) and money that you can get, or because you think it meets certain emotional needs (feeling valued, like you belong, liked, safe). But watch it! — it doesn’t last long...

The big plunge. You may be forced to enter the sex trade to “do your part” or pay the gang back for presents they’ve given you since you became a member.

The honeymoon. You start appreciating the advantages: independence, freedom, money, and maybe even pleasure!

Clouds on the horizon… The situation starts to go bad — the violence increases and maybe there’s drug abuse, unwanted pregnancies, STIs... You start to be afraid of members who used to be nice to you and who now tighten their hold over you.

Time to choose. You hesitate to continue, but fear of consequences makes you continue.

The split. You think of quitting but it’s hard to break all your ties, and you think of everything you’ll lose: friends, romantic partners, lifestyle, money. The risks are clear, but so are the threats of reprisals and attacks. That’s when you need help the most. Speak to an adult you trust or contact us!