Policy Press
2 Intervening in gang-affected neighbourhoods
Abstract
Violent youth gangs are almost invariably located in economically distressed urban neighbourhoods. Many U.S. studies and recent experience in Europe and the United Kingdom indicate that poor housing, material poverty and the absence of primary sector employment contribute significantly to the presence of violent youth gangs. This suggests that neighbourhood-level interventions that endeavour to address both the problems afflicting these neighbourhoods and their broader socioeconomic and cultural determinants might serve to stem the flow of young people becoming involved in gang violence as victims and as perpetrators. In certain multiply disadvantaged urban neighbourhoods, children, young people and their families are at heightened risk of gang involvement and gang victimisation. Indeed, U.S. research suggests that the neighbourhood of residence may be the key factor in determining whether or not a young person becomes involved in youth crime and youth gangs. This chapter offers a sketch of some of the components of a medium- to long-term comprehensive intervention in gang-affected neighbourhoods. Such a strategy may involve family support, neighbourhood capacity building, educational interventions, youth and community provision and rehabilitation and resettlement.
Abstract
Violent youth gangs are almost invariably located in economically distressed urban neighbourhoods. Many U.S. studies and recent experience in Europe and the United Kingdom indicate that poor housing, material poverty and the absence of primary sector employment contribute significantly to the presence of violent youth gangs. This suggests that neighbourhood-level interventions that endeavour to address both the problems afflicting these neighbourhoods and their broader socioeconomic and cultural determinants might serve to stem the flow of young people becoming involved in gang violence as victims and as perpetrators. In certain multiply disadvantaged urban neighbourhoods, children, young people and their families are at heightened risk of gang involvement and gang victimisation. Indeed, U.S. research suggests that the neighbourhood of residence may be the key factor in determining whether or not a young person becomes involved in youth crime and youth gangs. This chapter offers a sketch of some of the components of a medium- to long-term comprehensive intervention in gang-affected neighbourhoods. Such a strategy may involve family support, neighbourhood capacity building, educational interventions, youth and community provision and rehabilitation and resettlement.
Kapitel in diesem Buch
- Front Matter i
- Contents iii
- Foreword iv
- Acknowledgements v
- List of abbreviations vi
- Notes on contributors vii
- Introduction 1
- Integrated or targeted youth support services: an essay on ‘prevention’ 9
- Intervening in gang-affected neighbourhoods 21
- Family intervention projects and the efficacy of parenting interventions 41
- Early intervention and prevention: lessons from the Sure Start programme 53
- Attachment research and the origins of violence: a story of damaged brains and damaged minds 69
- Early intervention in the youth justice sphere: a knowledge-based critique 89
- European perspectives on prevention 105
- Conclusion 115
Kapitel in diesem Buch
- Front Matter i
- Contents iii
- Foreword iv
- Acknowledgements v
- List of abbreviations vi
- Notes on contributors vii
- Introduction 1
- Integrated or targeted youth support services: an essay on ‘prevention’ 9
- Intervening in gang-affected neighbourhoods 21
- Family intervention projects and the efficacy of parenting interventions 41
- Early intervention and prevention: lessons from the Sure Start programme 53
- Attachment research and the origins of violence: a story of damaged brains and damaged minds 69
- Early intervention in the youth justice sphere: a knowledge-based critique 89
- European perspectives on prevention 105
- Conclusion 115
