What is a Gang? - Native Women's Association of Canada Website

Getting In... Getting Out (continued)Depending on the gang getting out may bedifficult or easy. In some cases, you changeyour friends, walk away and start makinghealthy choices such as:• Going back to school.• Getting counselling for substanceaddictions.• Going back to traditional teachings.In other cases, it may be very difficult toleave a gang. In some gangs, membershipis for life and the only way out is death.Others gangs require a member to be“beaten out” before they are allowed toleave. This is a process where the exitingmember is assaulted to the point of severeinjury or death by other members ofthe gang. Sometimes in order to ensurethe protection of not only you but alsoyour family, you may need to work withcommunity agencies, the police, familymembers, etc. to assist you in exitinga gang. In some instances, you may berequired to move to another community.“Female Aboriginalsare often tradedamong gangmembers and aspart of theirinitiation, aremade to have sexwith numerousgang membersat the same time.”– Dr. Mark TottenCP ReleaseMarch 16, 2010The MythGang life is glamorous.A gang is like family.A gang will protect you.By being a member of a gangpeople will respect you.You can leave a gangany time you want.Sexual trafficking isprostitution or sex work.Having a boyfriend whois a gang member willprotect me.A gang will provide youwith money, prestige, drugs,alcohol, sex and senseof belonging.The TruthThere is nothing glamorous aboutlosing your individuality and beingcontrolled. More gang membersdie from suicide and overdosescompared to homicide.As a gang member you are requiredto sacrifice your individuality forthe gang. They are not your familyand do not have your best interest inmind.It depends on your status andusefulness to the gang. At any pointyou can become expendable. In thecrossfire of a turf war, bullets do notdiscriminate.Using fear and intimidation doesnot bring you respect.Once you become a gang member itcan be extremely difficult to get out.Sexual trafficking is a form ofslavery which involves the uses ofthreat, force and deception.Not necessarily, many personalrelationships with gang membersend in sexual exploitation, forcedprostitution and sexual trafficking.A boyfriend who expects you tosleep with other guys doesn’trespect you and puts you at risk ofsexually transmitted diseases suchas HIV/AIDS.You may end with more money andbling but you end up paying with theloss of your freedom and ultimatelyyour life.pg. 4 Aboriginal Gang Violence - The Facts