NCJ Number
206498
Journal
Journal of Gang Research Volume: 11 Issue: 3 Dated: Spring 2004 Pages: 1-15
Editor(s)
George W. Knox Ph.D.
Date Published
2004
Length
15 pages
Annotation
This article, through a review of numerous studies and scenarios, presents evidence demonstrating that sexual violence and sexual exploitation involving female victims occurs as a result of gangs and gang members.
Abstract
The assertion that sexual violence and sexual exploitation are associated with gangs and gang members has been demonstrated in past studies. In order to analyze the scope and extent of sexual exploitation of female gang members and female gangs, this article reviews previous studies and illustrates the scenarios and methods of operation in which females are victimized by gangs today, through sexual violence, prostitution, and exploitation. In reviewing the literature, studies have shown that among male gang members, prior patterns of sexual abuse early in life tend to be predictive of future involvement by the same gang members in forcible rape; the interacting linkage between illegal drugs or gang members who control illicit street-level activity and prostitution; and the more organizationally sophisticated the gang is the more likely its members are to report that they have engaged in pimping behavior. Twenty scenarios and methods of operation in which females are victimized are presented in this article demonstrating the fact that sexual violence and sexual exploitation involving female victims occurs as a result of gangs and gang members. References