YouthGangsintheUK.pptVIP

Violence in RC gangs Gangs did not ‘specialise’ in violence, generally tried to avoid it But! Violence symbolically and rhetorically important Potential often present; references to, memories of, violence Idea of ‘trigger happy’ gangster motivated to protect reputation Alternate conflict resolution strategies employed Conflict within gangs as important as conflict between gangs More ‘important’ day-to-day About: business, friendships, romantic relationships, family – same for most of us Jealousy and debt recovery were key – came up over and over – generally, these are likely within not between gangs Violence and drugs markets Violence was linked to drug sales, but not disputes over markets/customers Instead, ‘taxing’ other dealers (same different gangs) Played role in gang members arming themselves Even in the hey-day of Inner West specialist drugs gangs, conflict only rarely about drugs markets Unacknowledged trauma References to violence, and exposure to violence as victims, perpetrators and witnesses was part of everyday conversation and growing up Ex-girlfriend of key gang member explains: ‘There was that many shootings at the time that it was just normal, it was sad and everything, but then a couple of days later you would have forgotten about it and somebody else would have been shot’ (30 year old woman) Interview with female gang member, sister of male gang member I lost the plot when I seen that poor – when I seen that poor boy got shot dead, and in front of me. I could have took that bullet, it could have been me dead. I had the Regional Crime Squad, I had the Murder Squad at me door. Do you know what I mean? I was getting phone calls – shit myself. I thought, “I’ve gotta get the fuck out of the city. I’ve gotta get away.” And I couldn’t cope with what I’d seen, and I cracked up and went to me doctor’s. The police weren’t interested, they just wanted to get me statement, I told them to sling it. Do you know what I mean? Went to me doctor