1. Risa Turetsky, RN, MPH candidate
Presentation for Adolescent Health
February 27, 2008

2. Presentation Outline
Define the problem

Identify the public health significance

Risk and Protective Factors

Framework for understanding the

problem
Suggestion for intervention

Concluding thoughts


3. Girls, Gangs and Sex -
What’s the Problem?
“Youth gang”? “Street gang”? What’s that???

Gang prevalence in the U.S.

Girls in gangs


4. Girls, Gangs and Sex–
What’s the Problem?
Females in gangs compared to those not in gangs have…
Earlier sexual debut, more partners, lower frequency

of condom use
Higher risk of STIs

 3 ½ times more likely to have gonorrhea*
 2 times more likely to have Trichomonas*
Negative emotional sequelae

* Wingwood et al. (2002) “Gang involvement and the health of African American adolescents.” Pediatrics, 110(5): e57.

5. Risk Factors
for High Risk Sexual Behaviors in Gangs
Being in a gang – risks associated with being a

member as well as the reasons for joining
Gang Culture

 Type of gang and the sexual practices
 Status within the gang
 Non-Monogamous Relationships
Ethnicity – not well substantiated

General adolescent risk factors

 Drug/Alcohol use
 Sexual abuse history
 Runaways
 Period of risk taking & identity discovery

6. Protective Factors
against High Risk Sexual Behaviors in
Gangs
Elements of Gang Culture

 Type of gang and the sexual practices
 Ethnicity
Pregnancy

 Factors that prevent kids from joining gangs
 Positive Connections
 Success
 Religious involvement
 Means of resolving conflicts
 Prosocial behavior patterns

7. Model of Girls in Gangs
RISK FACTORS Negative Health
Risk Fc for Gang
Outcomes
Membership
• Antisocial behavior
• Aggressive coping
• Self-concept of “bad” High Risk Sexual
Gang Culture as a
• Adults see as “bad” Behaviors
Risk Factor
• Lower parental
•Sexual exploitation of
Join a Gang
involvement/monitor
girls
• Seeking respect/power
•Sexual initiation rites
Female Specific Factors
• Asian or Hispanic
• seeking “belonging”
• Females are integrated
• low self esteem
PROTECTIVE
with male gang
• sexual abuse
•Culture of sexual risk
• drugs/violence in the FACTORS
home
Adolescent Risk Fc
Protective Against Protective Against
• drug/alcohol use
Joining a Gang Sexual Risk in
• sexual abuse
• runaways • Positive Connections Gang
• period of risk-taking/ identity • Success •Consider girls as equals
• Religious involvement
seeking in the gang
• Means of resolving • Separate female gang
conflicts • AA or Caucasian
• Prosocial behavior • Pregnancy
patterns

8. Targeted Prevention
Start early!

Target at-risk youth

 Also work with girls who are in gangs
 Female-centered
Multi-disciplinary; Multi-factorial

Resources, Connection, and Mentors

Communication

Boys & Girls Club: Gang Prevention through Targeted Outreach


9. Concluding Thoughts
Girls are significantly represented in the

youth gang context
Gang culture predisposes girls to high risk

sexual practices
Being in a gang is the strongest risk factor

Interventions need to be multifaceted and

start young
Positive support can help these girls meet

their potential and stay safe!

10. Of Interest…
National Youth Gang Center:

information, fact sheets, resources, and news on
gangs in the US - http://www.iir.com/nygc
Female Gangs: A Focus on Research:

bulletin on the issue of female gang involvement -
http://www.ncjrs.gov/pdffiles1/ojjdp/186159.pdf
Strategic Planning Tool: provides a means of

assessing gang problem and devising
interventions - http://www.iir.com/nygc/tool/

11. References
Moore, J. and Hegedorn, J. (2001) “Female gangs: A focus on research.” Office of

Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention: Juvenile Justice Bulletin, Retrieved
February 21, 2008, from http://www.ncjrs.gov/pdffiles1/ojjdp/186159.pdf
Esbensen, F., Huizinga, D., Weiher, A. (1993) “Gang and non-gang youth: differences in

explanatory factors.” Journal of Contemporary Criminal Justice, 9: 94-116.
Esbensen, F., Deschenes, E., Winfree, T. (1999) “ Differences between gang girls and

gang boys: Results from a multisite survey.” Youth Society, 31: 27-53.
Wingwood, G., DiClemente, R., Crosby, R., Harrington, K., Davies, S., Hook, E. (2002)

“Gang involvement and the health of African American adolescents.” Pediatrics, 110(5):
e57.
Molidor, C. (1996) “Female gang members: A profile of aggression and victimization “

Social Work, 41(3): 251-257.
Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention (2000) “Preventing adolescent

gang involvement.” Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention: Juvenile
Justice Bulletin, Retrieved February 25, 2008 from
http://www.ncjrs.gov/html/ojjdp/2000_9_2/page3.html
Howell, J. and Egley, R. (2008) “Frequently asked questions about gangs.”

National Youth Gang Center, Retrieved February 23, 2008 from
http://www.iir.com/nygc/faq.htm.
Harper, G. and Robinson, W. (1999) “Pathways to risk among inner-city African

American adolescent females: The influence of gang membership.” American Journal of
Community Psychology, 27(3): 383-404