What are some examples of gang violence?

Gang violence includes threats or actual violence committed by or against gang members. Examples are taunting, hitting, knifing, shooting and sexual assault. Much gang violence is internal – members fight each other for power or require new members to commit violent acts as initiation to the group.

What are 5 consequences of joining a gang?

Consequences of gang membership may include exposure to drugs and alcohol, age-inappropriate sexual behavior, difficulty finding a job because of lack of education and work skills, removal from ones family, imprisonment and even death.

What age do most people join a gang?

The most common age that youth join a gang is around 15, but the early adolescent years (12–14 years of age) are a crucial time when youth are exposed to gangs and may consider joining a gang.

Who is most likely to join a gang?

The Seattle study found that children and youth are two to four times more likely to join gangs if they are affected by these factors 3. Youth at risk or already involved in gangs tend to be from groups that suffer from the greatest levels of inequality and social disadvantage 4.

Can you start your own gang?

Once a gang has some members and some turf, it can grow by starting offshoots. People in other neighborhoods, cities, or states can start their own branches of a successful gang (with which they may have little or no contact). Each of these subgroups—called “sets,” or, among the Latin gangs, “clikas”—takes two names.

What is the average age of a gang member?

17–18 years old
Demographic studies of gangs cited by Howell show that the typical age range for a gang is 12–24 with the average age of gang members 17–18 years old. The average age tends to be older in cities like Los Angeles and Chicago where gangs are well established and have been in existence for longer periods of time.

What percentage of gang members are female?

Females accounted for 11 percent of gang members. The unweighted responses showed that, on average, females accounted for 11 percent of gang members (see table 15).

Can you be blessed in a gang?

Stereotypical gangs also have intense initiations. But gang members told me that many people who were considered gang members did not have to submit to any sort of violent or a criminal initiation at all. With approval from well-respected members, new people could get “blessed in,” no initiation required.

What happens if you join a gang?

Gang involvement increases your risk of being arrested, having to go to court, being put on probation or parole, being jailed, injured, or even killed.