Citation

Firmin C. Safer Communities 2009; 8(2): 14-16.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2009, Emerald Group Publishing)

DOI

10.1108/17578043200900014

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

This article considers the roles played and risks faced by girlfriends of gang members in the UK. It argues that if we are to address serious youth violence, both policy and practice has to account for the role that young women as well as young men play. At present, the male dominated account of gang violence threatens to delay long-term progress in making change; work being conducted with women at grass roots levels needs to be supported and built upon if we are to progress with tackling gang and serious youth violence.

Keywords: Exit programme, Gun crime, Peer mentoring, Youth gangs