“We need the CCPA to remind us that our dreams of a decent, egalitarian society are reasonable — indeed that with a little work, they are practical. And I love that practicality, that protection of the dream of the possible.”
— Naomi Klein
Issue(s): Human rights, Law and legal issues , Municipalities and urban development, Women's equality
June 27, 2001
Most of what is known about gang activity and involvement centres around men. With the exception of some media reports, female gang members have remained mostly invisible in research about gangs, and in gang prevention and intervention programs, a new study has found.
The "Invisible" Gang Members: A Report on Female Gang Association in Winnipeg was written by Melanie Nimmo for the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives-Manitoba. It is based on in-depth interviews with representatives from criminal justice, social services, and community-based agencies.
The report presents an eye-opening profile of female gang members in Winnipeg; it goes on to describe the basic motivations for gang involvement, the activities of female gang members, gang structure, and the possibility of leaving gang life.