Proposal


 * The History of Youth Gang Violence in Canada**

Youth Gangs A youth gang can be described as a group of young people involved in criminal activities. Youth gangs are considered a growing concern in many parts of Canada. A survey conducted by Canadian Police in 2002 estimated that Canada has approximately 434 youth gangs and 7071 youth gang members (Public Safety Canada, 2008). Most are from Ontario, which has approximately 216 youth gangs and 3320 youth gang members (Public Safety Canada, 2008). The survey also indicates that the vast majority of youth gang members are male, usually between the ages of 16 and 18 (Public Safety Canada, 2008). The largest proportions are African Canadians, First Nations, and Caucasians respectively (Public Safety Canada, 2008). Youth suffering from inequality and social disadvantage tend to be at the greatest risk of joining a gang (Public Safety Canada, 2008).

Gun Violence Gun violence is one of the most serious issues regarding youth gangs. According to the Drugs, Alcohol, and Violence International (DAVI) study in Toronto, 15.1% of boys between ages 14 to 17 have brought a gun to school (Public Safety Canada, 2008). The study also reveals a correlation between youth gangs in schools and the availability of both guns and drugs in schools (Public Safety Canada, 2008). Furthermore, school dropouts who are involved in drug selling are at a greater risk of being involved in gun-related violence (Public Safety Canada, 2008). Youth getting involved in gang relative activities is problematic because it may lead to their involvement in serious cases of gang-related violence as they get older.

Homicide In 2008, Statistics Canada reported that “gang-related violence accounted for almost one in four homicides in Canada” (CBC News, 2009). The number of reported homicides and gang-related homicides in Canada both showed an increase from 2007 (CBC News, 2009). Toronto had the most, with 103 homicides and 24 gang-related homicides (CBC News, 2009). The increase in gang-related homicides led to an increase in gun-related homicides. Gun-related homicides in Canada reached as high as 200, 50 of which occurred in Toronto (CBC News, 2009).


 * The Primary Stakeholders of Youth Gang Violence**

Effects of Gang Violence Gang-related violence affects a wide range of people. Those who are concerned the most however, are the communities in which gangs are active. As stressed by the USC News, "Those who live, play or work in communities where there are large numbers of violent street gangs are at increased risk of injury and death from gang violence." (Maceo, 1995). People are concerned that the presence of gangs is making their communities unsafe. Gang-related violence puts the safety of police officers at risk as well. There have been a number of cases in which police officers have been shot and killed.

Positions of People Who Have Power and Influence The families and friends of the gang members are affected by gang-related activities both emotionally and economically. For example, parents paying bail for their son or daughter, or even funeral services in the event of a death.

Real estate agents are also affected by gang-related activities. For example, in Toronto, the cost of property in the Bay Street area is significantly higher in comparison to the Jane & Finch area. Gang-related activities lower the reputation of the Jane & Finch area and are one of the factors that determine this price difference.

Most gang members are drug dealers. Some work independently, while others work to support more powerful drug dealers. Their ability to sell drugs will directly affect their drug dealers’ annual income, as well as the overall wealth of their gang.

Companies who manufacture illegal weaponry and the individuals who distribute them are also affected by the presence of gangs. Their sales are influenced by the number of gangs in their area of business.

Correctional facilities, rehabilitation clinics and hospitals are other stakeholders of gang-related activities. There are a significant number of gang members within these facilities, and the costs of caring for them are expensive. In the United States, where gang violence is more frequent, admitting gang members translates into more money for the local hospital. Current Events Related to Youth Gang Violence ** What Motivates Youth to Join Gangs? The desire for acknowledgement, respect, protection, social support and companionship are the main motivations that lead youth to join gangs. Through their status as gang members, they become part of the greater social hierarchy in school and community settings. They achieve power and control through intimidation. Even though there are part-time jobs available, basic survival needs still motivate youth to join gangs. This 22 year old gang member's statement suggests that working minimum wage is humiliating for these youths:

“//They pay you shit and make you dress like a goof and have some punk manager order you around- you don’t get respect from that. I’m my own boss, make way more money// //and don’t sell myself out...I’d rather die than embarrass myself like that”. – Wortley//

School bullying and neighbourhood violence also motivates youth to join gangs (CRILF). They get a sense of protection from joining gangs. For young women who have been victimized at home, youths that have dysfunctional family situations, and youths that do not have support, the gang is becomes their retreat (Ctys). Boredom and lack of recreational activities also act as incentives for youths to join gangs because it acts as a maturing stage for their transition between adolescence and adulthood through pleasure, excitement or fear. Gang membership allows them to accomplish this transition by breaking social taboos, challenging authority, and testing limits (CIRLF).

Witnesses and Gang Violence Verbal abuse has been one of the primary reasons why youth gang violence occurs. Based on the Toronto Youth Crime Survey, about 80% of respondents said that it is okay to assault someone because of an insult; 91% of students engaged in gang violence; 68% fought with a weapon; and 79% of students have been assaulted by gang members (Wortley). In some cases, people refuse to do anything when they witness gang assaults because they do not trust the police system. This distrust is particularly found in young people who have been “overly profiled, frisked and imprisoned” (Johnston). Also, over exposure to isolation, violence and poverty has led some groups of people to feel that they do not need police help because they can take care of themselves (Johnston).

Programs and Services Canada has realized the seriousness of youth gangs and its impact. Several programs and services are being offered to help the youth prevent engagement with gangs and violence, and provide strategies to those who decide to leave a gang. Some existing programs in Canada are: Lighthouses, which stresses on providing recreational, educational and pro-social support; Operation Target, which aims on helping youth make healthy decisions; Prevention of Gangs in Gangs; Take Action: Street Gang Awareness; and more (CIRLF).


 * Our Position on Youth Gang Violence**

Where We Stand Our group is against youth gang violence because rivalry between gangs are excessively poisonous, and the way they resort to violence to achieve a high reputation and prestige is inappropriate and unnecessary. Using weaponry to defeat an opposing gang sacrifices innocent lives. For example, thirteen year old Joseph Spence was murdered by members of a gang when they asked him if he was a member of “I.P (Indian Posse)”, which was an opposing gang. Spence answered “yes” because in his town it was a safety ploy (Bergman, 1995). This tragedy stresses the negative effects youth gang violence has on society and its adolescents. The consequences that arise with the association of gangs are detrimental to the development of youth. Youth has become desensitized to violence and it has been stated that the accessibility of illegal drugs and weaponry is the most influential factor (Mertl, 2009). Participation in gang related activities leads to damaging consequences, affecting relationships with their peers, their family, and their education. Adolescents feel the need to join a gang to gain a sense of prestige and belonging; however, some feel they have nothing to lose because they believe they have an equally unruly family life (Bergman, 1995). It has been asserted that the streets are “where [society is] going to find the kids that are bored, vulnerable, at risk and willing to engage” in gang-related violent activities (Mertl, 2009).

Advocating Position These adolescents need to develop new aspirations that will benefit their future in a successful and fulfilling way. They need to grasp the understanding that the glamour and status they perceive in gangs will only bestow upon them criminal sentences. Because of the increasing number of gang member recruitments and detrimental behaviours that result in their involvement, our group will be advocating the idea that as a community we must work together to create awareness and prevention on this issue. We are going to emphasize the harmful issues related to this topic to ensure society knows how vital it is to recognize the severity of youth gang violence. Raising the awareness of this issue will help motivate society to advocate and help take action by ensuring the youth of our community avoids following this dire path.

Proposed Actions We would like our target audience to assist in developing programs that will steer youth away from gang-related activities. If our society starts helping youth focus on their education, we can anticipate a decline in the number of youth gangs and violence associated with those gangs.


 * Our Communication Strategy**

Objective Our group’s objective is to raise awareness of youth gang violence through our “Dance Battle Against Youth Gangs’ Campaign and utilization of media within six months time.

Goal Our goal is to deprive kids of any incentives to join gangs, and engage them into beneficial extra-curricular activities and after-school programs so that they may have a brighter future. We want people to sense the urgency of youth gang violence and what it is doing to the futures of these children and adolescents. We yearn for the public’s support to make this campaign successful.

Audience Through media, we can make society aware of the ‘Dance Battle Against Youth Gangs’ Campaign so that they are aware that they can help by making donations and through volunteering. Our group’s campaign is targeting the youth as they are most likely victims of gangs. We are also targeting the public through the media and viral marketing. Anyone can volunteer and lend a helping hand. We are targeting families, teachers, parents, companies, government; basically anybody in society that can bring about this campaign to success.

Key Messages Key messages that we want society to understand are that people should be given the opportunity to make good choices. When a person feels trapped, they feel that they can only go down one path. Gangs are not the only choice to meet your needs. There are better ways to achieve the same benefits that gangs can provide. We, the public should help them be aware of these alternatives. We should help them learn new skills and help them figure out what they are passionate about, so that they feel good about what they are doing. Make it fun, so they want to do it. We should support them, and believe in their capabilities.

Strategy Dance is an example of an activity that can keep children away from gangs and violence. This campaign’s focus will be on leading an example on how these activities can provide children with something to do so they don’t turn to the streets. Through providing these activities to children, crime and death rates will decrease, communities will be safer, and more students will want to stay in school. Children that have been affected by gangs and youth related violence will be showcased at this campaign to show that there is a choice and to encourage other children to do the same.

Tactics Before the campaign event, online awareness will be created on social networking sites such as, Facebook and Twitter, so that the millions of users on these sites have access to our information and cause. A website would also be created for those who do not use social networking sites, to further increase awareness. Supporters of our cause online can invite their friends and spread the word. This campaign will show society what these children can do. Tables will be set up outside the University of Toronto of Mississauga’s student centre with a dance battle area. Youth supporting youth will help spread awareness of our campaign in a positive manner. Merchandise such as t-shirts and pins will be distributed to the people who attend so that when they leave the event, they will not forget about the cause.

Measurement The success of our campaign will be measured by the amount of people who join our Facebook or Twitter groups, how many people make donations and visit our website and also by the amount of people who attend our campaign. Another measure of the success of our campaign is the amount of media coverage we receive from the event. The support from corporations and politicians is a measure of the campaign’s success because corporations respond to profit and politicians respond to the people who vote for them; these campaigns provide a good image for corporations and for politicians.

Works Cited Bergman, Brian. “Wild in the streets.” //Maclean’s// 22 (1995): 18-19 Web. 1 Mar. 2010

Canada. Canadian Research Institute for Law and Family (CRILF). Calgary, Alberta. //Youth// //Gangs in Canada: A Preliminary Review of Programs and Services//. By Brian Mellor. Sept. 2005. Web. 3 March 2010.

CBC News. “Gang violence fuelled rise in homicides in 2008.” //CBC.// 28 October 2010. Web. 01 March 2010.

Maceo, Brenda. "Rise in Gang Violence." //USC - University of Southern California//. 5 October 1995. Web. 01 March 2010.

Mertl, Steve. “Bored...at risk and willing to engage.” //Globe & Mail// (February 17, 2009): S2

Public Safety Canada. “Youth gangs in Canada: What do we know?” //Public Safety Canada.// January 10, 2008. Web. 01 March 2010

Rene, Johnston. "Police Hampered by Cult of Stop Snitchin'" //Toronto Star//. Web. 3 March 2010.

Scot, Wortley. "Urban Youth Gangs in Canada: Results from Two Toronto-Area Research Projects." //Police Research//. Web. 3 Mar. 2010.

//YOUTH GANGS/GROUPS: Comparing the Views of Police, School Officials, Social Workers, Parents, Victims and Youth//. Web. 3 March 2010.