Gangs

Stopping Gang Violence

The most common age for youth to join a gang is between 13 and 15, making early prevention efforts critical.

Young people join gangs for various reasons, including money, sense of support and belonging, peer status, perceived sense of protection, or to demonstrate an outlaw mentality

Youth in gangs are more likely to abuse drugs, engage in high-risk sexual behaviors, and experience long-term health and social consequences

Girls join gangs in large numbers, contrary to stereotypes. Prevention efforts should address girls' risk for gang joining, including preventing sexual abuse and addressing abusive intimate partner violence for girls

Very early prevention efforts, particularly with families of young children, show promising results

Gang-joining prevention efforts should be informed by what is known about risk and protective factors for children of particular ages. There are protective factors, such as academic success, positive connections, and effective parenting, that can help youth who are growing up in high-risk communities.