Gang Risk Factors
Public Safety Canada has identified these key risk factors associated with youth gang involvement, which can help guide early prevention and intervention.
INDIVIDUAL: PEER GROUP:
-Prior delinquency -High commitment to delinquent peers
-Illegal gun ownership -Street socialization
-Drug trafficking -Gang member class
-Desire for group rewards -Friends who use drugs or who are gang members
-Alcohol and drug use -Interaction with delinquent peers
-Early or precocious sexual activity -Pre-teen exposure to stress
-Anti-social attitudes (Status, identity, self-esteem, protection)
SCHOOL: FAMILY:
-Poor school performance -Family disorganization (broken homes, drug/alcohol abuse)
-Low education aspirations -Family violence, neglect and drug addiction
-Negative labelling by teachers -Family member is in a gang
-High level of anti-social behaviors -Lack of adult and paternal role models
-Few teacher role models -Parent criminality
-Educational frustration -Parents with violent attitudes
-Low attachment to school -Siblings with anti-social behaviors
-Learning difficulties -Extreme economic deprivation
COMMUNITY: MAJOR RISK FACTORS:
-Social disorganization, including high poverty -Negative influence in life
-High crime neighbourhood -Limited attachment to the community
-Availability of perceived access to drugs -Over-reliance on anti-social peers
-Availability of firearms -Poor parental supervision
-Central norms supporting gang behavior -Alcohol and drug abuse
-Feeling unsafe in a neighbourhood -Poor educational or employment potential
-A need for recognition and belonging