What can I do to counter the lure of gangs?

Factors that influence youth joining a gang

• Low self esteem with a sense of helplessness
• Peer pressure from family gang members
• Parental neglect
• Poverty/substandard housing – Living in high-risk neighborhoods
• Substance abuse in and outside the home
• School dropout or truant
• Friends/family members with criminal backgrounds
• Antisocial, hostile or aggressive behaviors towards people in authority
• Social deprivation or isolation behaviors
• Feel the need for personal protection
• Perceived lack of employment opportunities
• Lack of positive role models
• Unaware of the consequences of gang involvement
• Lack of unemployment opportunities
• Domestic violent/physical and sexual abuse

Any combination of these risk factors = High risk of getting involved in a gang!

Signs of someone getting involved in a gang life

• Staying out late
• Unexplained injuries
• Withdrawal from family of friends
• Secretive about new friends/ sudden change in friends
• Abrupt change in personality
• Unexplained new possessions or unaccounted monies
• Preference for certain colour of clothing (gang colours)
• Graffiti on personal items such as notebooks or bedroom walls
• Tattoos or makings of gang symbols on hands or body
• Frequent run-ins with the law

What can I do to counter the lure of gangs on the home front

• Know your child's friends
• Occupy your child's free time with school, sports or church activities
• Plan family outings and activities
• Give your child responsibilities or chores at home
• Don't allow your child to wear gang colours or paraphernalia
• Don't allow him/her to be out late at night
• Know where your child is going, when he/she is going out late at night. Know who your child is with
• Participate in your child's education. Know what's happening at school
• Develop anti-gang attitudes in your home. Let your child know that you will not tolerate gang involvement
• Spend time with your child. If you spend time with him/her, he or she will not have to go to a gang to fill that need
• Be a role model