A need to belong: what leads girls to join gangs?

1. A need to belong: what leads girls to join gangs? Lorraine Khan Associate Director, Children and young People

2. Key messages Girls in gangs are • much more vulnerable than other young women who get into trouble • vulnerable in many different ways • vulnerable throughout their lives

3. Data and literature review • 8029 Young people screened across 37 sites • 80 young women identified with gang associations • Tracking 28 risk factors and health difficulties • Comprehensive review of the literature

4. Girls in gangs: multiple vulnerabilities Girls in gangs have higher numbers of multiple vulnerabilities

5. Family based risk factors Girls in gangs are… • 5 times more likely to have parent in prison • 3 times more likely to have parent with mental health/substance misuse problems • Nearly 4 times more likely to have sibling involved in anti-social behaviour • More than 3 times more likely to experience neglect and family conflict • 2.5 times more likely to have experienced domestic violence

6. Relationships • Girls in gangs - 4.5 times more likely to experience poor relationships

7. Victimisation Girls in gangs are… • 4 times more likely to be bullied • 3 times more likely to be physically abused • 3 times more likely to have been sexually abused • and to have sexual health problems

8. Mental health and well being • 40% had signs of early starting behavioural difficulties • Most common and damaging childhood mental health problem

9. What behaviour? • Over 4 times more likely to have run away • 28% had been excluded and non attendance and under performance was higher compared to other girls • 62% involved in aggression/violent acts • Nearly 3 times more likely to be using drugs/alcohol • Over 5 times more likely to be involved in risky sexual activity

10. Mental health and well being • A third had patterns of self-harm or suicide risks • A quarter had a diagnosable mental health difficulty • A third had experienced bereavement • A third had sleeping/eating problems

11. Safeguarding and other health needs • Twice as likely to be on a child protection plan • Twice as likely to be in foster care • As likely as other female entrants to have current or previous LAC status • Twice as likely to be homeless

12. Other issues • 5 x more likely than other girls to have a developmental difficulty • 4 x more likely to have dentistry needs • 3 x more likely to have eyesight problem

13. Need a two pronged strategy • Prevention is better than cure • But when girls join gangs - need safe and gender-specific exit pathways

14. Prevention priorities • All sector commitment - making every contact count • Reduce maltreatment/neglect and build resilience • Intervene early at the first signs of poor child mental health – early behaviour is important • Evidence-based outreach approaches

15. Girls enter gangs for different reasons… So they need different routes out which… • make use of and help build positive attachments • support self-esteem, aspiration and empowerment • create safe female spaces and safe exit pathways • address histories of victimisation and trauma

16. Challenges in the system Austerity measures are affecting early intervention and prevention…

17. And yet… • Without prevention, these girls… • drift into high costs services • carry forward legacies of disadvantage and victimisation • Impact on community well-being

18. Summary • Girls in gangs are: • highly vulnerable and costly • They need: • whole-system, preventative, and life-course approaches to: • help them flourish • reduce accumulation of risk • gender-specific, evidence -based and safe exit routes should they end up in gangs

19. Thank you lorraine.khan@centreformentalhealth.org.uk