Aggression and Violent Behavior, 58, 2021, p.101546.
Publisher:
Elsevier
The extensive impact of gang-related harms on communities has led to a broad range of stakeholders investing in attempts to respond to gangs. Resultantly, many gang definitions, typologies, and explanations have been developed and adopted. This uncoordinated multiplicity has presented significant difficulties for developing shared understandings and responses to gangs across relevant parties. To overcome such pitfalls, researchers have begun to pursue a framework of unificationism through the establishment of consensus definitions of gangs, cross-disciplinary research teams, and unified theories for gang occurrences. Drawing upon insights from other disciplines, we argue against the adoption of an overarching unificationist framework instead endorsing a pluralistic approach to gang research. We
(Edited publisher abstract)
The extensive impact of gang-related harms on communities has led to a broad range of stakeholders investing in attempts to respond to gangs. Resultantly, many gang definitions, typologies, and explanations have been developed and adopted. This uncoordinated multiplicity has presented significant difficulties for developing shared understandings and responses to gangs across relevant parties. To overcome such pitfalls, researchers have begun to pursue a framework of unificationism through the establishment of consensus definitions of gangs, cross-disciplinary research teams, and unified theories for gang occurrences. Drawing upon insights from other disciplines, we argue against the adoption of an overarching unificationist framework instead endorsing a pluralistic approach to gang research. We develop a novel framework – The Conceptual Framework for Gang Research – for guiding the coordinated construction/adoption of a multiplicity of conceptual tools specifically tailored to facilitate the diverse aims of gang researchers and demonstrate the utility of this approach over current conventional approaches.
(Edited publisher abstract)
Journal of Aggression Conflict and Peace Research, 13(2-3), 2021, pp.83-95.
Publisher:
Emerald
... injunction (CGI), the authors use multivariate quadratic assignment procedure regression models to disentangle factors thought to account for structural patterns of gang violence mapped from 933 prosecutions involving 307 gangs associated with violent conflict affecting the City of Los Angeles (1998–2013). Specifically, the authors compare competitive advantage to the explanatory power of turf proximity. Findings: One measure of turf proximity outperforms all other explanatory factors – gangs with turf centrally positioned in a turf adjacency matrix are significantly more likely to launch attacks, be victimized and exhibit the highest levels of imbalance in their violent involvements. Regarding competitive advantage, the number of cliques and level of internal conflict are significant. Finally, being
(Edited publisher abstract)
Purpose: Studies of gang violence typically use police reports to investigate the structure of gang conflict, but overreliance on a singular data source could impede crime control efforts. Extending networked criminology, this study aims to explore what court records reveal about the directionality of gang conflicts. Design/methodology/approach: Controlling for the presence of a civil gang injunction (CGI), the authors use multivariate quadratic assignment procedure regression models to disentangle factors thought to account for structural patterns of gang violence mapped from 933 prosecutions involving 307 gangs associated with violent conflict affecting the City of Los Angeles (1998–2013). Specifically, the authors compare competitive advantage to the explanatory power of turf proximity. Findings: One measure of turf proximity outperforms all other explanatory factors – gangs with turf centrally positioned in a turf adjacency matrix are significantly more likely to launch attacks, be victimized and exhibit the highest levels of imbalance in their violent involvements. Regarding competitive advantage, the number of cliques and level of internal conflict are significant. Finally, being subject to a CGI is associated with initiating violence. Originality/value: Court cases offer a feasible alternative to police data when investigating patterns of intergroup street gang violence.
(Edited publisher abstract)
Journal of Aggression Conflict and Peace Research, 13(2-3), 2021, pp.125-135.
Publisher:
Emerald
Purpose: This paper aims to discuss the importance of having several entry points into the field, via gatekeepers who do not belong to law enforcement agencies, in contexts where the police cannot be defined as trustworthy. Design/methodology/approach: The argumentation of this paper is based on qualitative research on women and gangs in Honduras. An ethnographical methodology was implemented, In countries such as Honduras, the police are riddled with corruption and impunity, which eventually leads to mistrust among gang members and other citizens. Hence, it is recommended to approach other, non-law enforcement, gatekeepers, who often stand much closer to the gangs and have a less conflicted or biased position toward them and toward other people living in gang areas. Research limitations/implications: A feminist reflexive approach is recommended for researching women and gangs, and thus also for choosing the right gatekeepers in the field, taking into account researchers’ and gatekeepers’ positionality. Originality/value: Police corruption in relation to gangs and gang-related crimes often goes unreported and silences people living in gang-controlled areas. This paper exposes these conflicted roles, not only regarding police abuse vis-à-vis gangs and people living in gang areas but also in relation to gang researchers in the field.
(Edited publisher abstract)
Purpose: This paper aims to discuss the importance of having several entry points into the field, via gatekeepers who do not belong to law enforcement agencies, in contexts where the police cannot be defined as trustworthy. Design/methodology/approach: The argumentation of this paper is based on qualitative research on women and gangs in Honduras. An ethnographical methodology was implemented, which included over a year of observations, 65 interviews and two focus groups in gang-controlled communities and detention centers in Central America (with a focus on Honduras), between 2017 and 2020. The paper implements a feminist reflexive approach, focusing on patriarchy, positionality and silence. Findings: Collaborating with the police as gatekeepers in gang research needs to be reevaluated. In countries such as Honduras, the police are riddled with corruption and impunity, which eventually leads to mistrust among gang members and other citizens. Hence, it is recommended to approach other, non-law enforcement, gatekeepers, who often stand much closer to the gangs and have a less conflicted or biased position toward them and toward other people living in gang areas. Research limitations/implications: A feminist reflexive approach is recommended for researching women and gangs, and thus also for choosing the right gatekeepers in the field, taking into account researchers’ and gatekeepers’ positionality. Originality/value: Police corruption in relation to gangs and gang-related crimes often goes unreported and silences people living in gang-controlled areas. This paper exposes these conflicted roles, not only regarding police abuse vis-à-vis gangs and people living in gang areas but also in relation to gang researchers in the field.
(Edited publisher abstract)
Third research briefing from research investigating the impacts of Covid-19 on child criminal exploitation and County Lines. Data was gathered in 13 interviews with practitioners and 29 interviews with law enforcement and local authorities. This briefing is on identifying trends that professionals have witnessed more recently, and as a result of longer-term lockdown measures. Findings indicate that restrictions introduced in response to the pandemic have hindered the ability of youth workers to safeguard vulnerable young people and increased difficulties in identifying and responding to victims of County Lines exploitation. Provides some recommendations for practice, examples of good practice and considers ongoing concerns as we exit lockdown.
(Edited publisher abstract)
Third research briefing from research investigating the impacts of Covid-19 on child criminal exploitation and County Lines. Data was gathered in 13 interviews with practitioners and 29 interviews with law enforcement and local authorities. This briefing is on identifying trends that professionals have witnessed more recently, and as a result of longer-term lockdown measures. Findings indicate that restrictions introduced in response to the pandemic have hindered the ability of youth workers to safeguard vulnerable young people and increased difficulties in identifying and responding to victims of County Lines exploitation. Provides some recommendations for practice, examples of good practice and considers ongoing concerns as we exit lockdown.
(Edited publisher abstract)
Research briefing focusing on the early impact of COVID-19 on child criminal exploitation. Informed by interviews with professionals, including law enforcement and local authorities.
Initial findings indicate that restrictions introduced in response to COVID-19 have forced adaptations in the methods used by County Lines drug supply networks and have impacted upon the ways in which frontline professionals work to detect and effectively safeguard children and young people. Recommendations include: practitioners should endeavour to maintain face-to-face contact with young people where appropriate, enabling a safe environment for disclosures and for assessing risk; public and third sector organisations should continue to use media to raise awareness amongst the public; multi-agency stakeholders should continue to build on remote working and online meetings to develop the cohesion of local responses.
(Edited publisher abstract)
Research briefing focusing on the early impact of COVID-19 on child criminal exploitation. Informed by interviews with professionals, including law enforcement and local authorities.
Initial findings indicate that restrictions introduced in response to COVID-19 have forced adaptations in the methods used by County Lines drug supply networks and have impacted upon the ways in which frontline professionals work to detect and effectively safeguard children and young people. Recommendations include: practitioners should endeavour to maintain face-to-face contact with young people where appropriate, enabling a safe environment for disclosures and for assessing risk; public and third sector organisations should continue to use media to raise awareness amongst the public; multi-agency stakeholders should continue to build on remote working and online meetings to develop the cohesion of local responses.
(Edited publisher abstract)
... of this form of offending at an aggregated national level. Key findings include: the characteristics of offenders in group-based CSE include that they are predominantly but not exclusively male and are often older than sexual offenders in street gangs, but younger than lone child sexual offenders; group-based CSE offenders are most commonly White; some studies suggest an over-representation of Black
(Edited publisher abstract)
This paper considers child sexual exploitation (CSE) perpetrated by groups, a form of child sexual abuse characterised by multiple interconnected offenders grooming and sexually exploiting children. This includes forms of offending commonly referred to as ‘street grooming’ or ‘grooming gangs’. The primary aim of the paper is to present the best available evidence on the characteristics of this form of offending at an aggregated national level. Key findings include: the characteristics of offenders in group-based CSE include that they are predominantly but not exclusively male and are often older than sexual offenders in street gangs, but younger than lone child sexual offenders; group-based CSE offenders are most commonly White; some studies suggest an over-representation of Black and Asian offenders relative to the demographics of national populations – however, it is not possible to conclude that this is representative of all group-based CSE offending; motivations differ between offenders, but a sexual interest in children is not always the predominant motive – financial gain and a desire for sexual gratification are common motives and misogyny and disregard for women and girls may further enable the abuse; offender networks tend to be loosely interconnected, with some members more central to the group and others more peripheral; there is no common structure to offender networks and modus operandi vary; this kind of abuse can and will happen when groups of (largely) men have access to potential victims in circumstances where they feel able to act with impunity, and where the group dynamic means perpetrators both give each other ‘permission’ and spur one another on to greater depravity and harm – the precise nature of the abuse will vary from one instance to the next, shaped by the specific context and by the attitudes of the perpetrators.
(Edited publisher abstract)
Subject terms:
child protection, child sexual exploitation, gangs, child sexual abuse;
This article introduces the special issue on UK gangs and youth violence. Written to coincide with the launch of the National Centre for Gang Research at the University of West London, this collection adds the voices of academics who have spent years researching serious violence to a conversation dominated by policymakers and media commentators. The authors examine trends in youth violence
(Edited publisher abstract)
This article introduces the special issue on UK gangs and youth violence. Written to coincide with the launch of the National Centre for Gang Research at the University of West London, this collection adds the voices of academics who have spent years researching serious violence to a conversation dominated by policymakers and media commentators. The authors examine trends in youth violence and offer a brief history of UK gang research before previewing the contribution of the seven empirical articles dealing with police gang databases, knife crime, county lines drug dealing, contextual safeguarding, offender mental health, gang disengagement and criminal desistance.
(Edited publisher abstract)
This article, based on research conducted in Glasgow, Scotland, analyses the complex process of desistance from youth gangs. The discussion is multifaceted focusing on the agency of the young people themselves as well as on how relationships within their local community can have a role in replacing their previous identification as gang members. It explores what is meant by a youth gang, why some
(Publisher abstract)
This article, based on research conducted in Glasgow, Scotland, analyses the complex process of desistance from youth gangs. The discussion is multifaceted focusing on the agency of the young people themselves as well as on how relationships within their local community can have a role in replacing their previous identification as gang members. It explores what is meant by a youth gang, why some young people stop identifying with the youth gang and argues that the local community and broader society have a role in providing social recognition and identity-enhancement opportunities for these young people.
(Publisher abstract)
In Ireland, gang-based offending is a relatively new phenomenon. In response to this, some legislative attempts have been made to curb the impact of gangs. Yet, there has yet to be a partnership approach between the many stakeholders dealing with gang criminality. This article examines one such partnership approach known as ‘pulling levers’. It is a deterrence strategy which has been utilised
In Ireland, gang-based offending is a relatively new phenomenon. In response to this, some legislative attempts have been made to curb the impact of gangs. Yet, there has yet to be a partnership approach between the many stakeholders dealing with gang criminality. This article examines one such partnership approach known as ‘pulling levers’. It is a deterrence strategy which has been utilised in numerous areas in the US and the UK, and is based on the premise that crime will decrease when the costs of committing crime are perceived as being greater than the rewards. The article gives an overview of the approach, and details common components. It then gives brief examples of how the model has been used in practice, and discusses whether the approach could work in Ireland.
In this DVD, the film-maker’s describes her experience of being in care and becoming a skinhead girl during the late 70’s and early 80’s. It gives an insight through a female perspective into an often misunderstood sub-youth culture. The film-maker provides her personal reflections of that time, showing a working class girl finding refuge within the skinhead movement: a place where she grew, survived, thrived and eventually learned a very hard, uncomfortable lesson through violence. The DVD illustrates what youth culture identities offer young people and addresses identity and gender issues.
In this DVD, the film-maker’s describes her experience of being in care and becoming a skinhead girl during the late 70’s and early 80’s. It gives an insight through a female perspective into an often misunderstood sub-youth culture. The film-maker provides her personal reflections of that time, showing a working class girl finding refuge within the skinhead movement: a place where she grew, survived, thrived and eventually learned a very hard, uncomfortable lesson through violence. The DVD illustrates what youth culture identities offer young people and addresses identity and gender issues.