Get informed : Violence

A street gang is a group of adolescents (and often adults) whose usual goals are the acquisition of power and recognition, financial gain, and the defence of a territory. Streets gangs may have little structure or be very structured (hierarchy, clearly defined roles and tasks). They usually resort to violence to achieve their goals.

Not every group of young people is a street gang! For example, your circle of friends — what you call “my gang” — is a group of young people with whom you spend time and regularly do things, and to whom you are no doubt attached. This “gang” is not a street gang!