“Flickor och unga kvinnor under radarn” : En kvalitativ studie om yrkesverksammas förståelse av flickors och unga kvinnors ökade involvering i gängrelaterade miljöer

Sammanfattning

The aim of this study was to research how professionals within social work and police explain and understand girls and young women's increased participation in gang related environments. The study also aims to research how preventive work can be improved to reduce the risk of girls and young women being recruited into criminal networks. According to previous research, gang criminality has mainly been portrayed as a male dominated phenomenon which has contributed to the neglect of girls and young women's roles. However, more recent studies and reports indicate that their involvement has become more visible and that their paths into gang related environments are often shaped by social relationships, gender norms, vulnerability and exposure to criminal networks. This study is based on qualitative, semi structured interviews with professionals who have experienced working with the intended audience. The data was analyzed using thematic analysis. The study employed social bond theory, gender theory, social learning theory and Bronfenbrenner's ecological systems theory to examine how relationships, gender norms, social vulnerability and risk factors impact involvement in gang related environments. The results presented that girls and young women involved in gang criminality are still mainly associated with the male gender. Their involvement is formed by several interacting factors consisting of relationships with individuals involved with criminal networks, social media, mental health problems, trauma and lack of trust in social institutions. The results also show that girls and young women may be both active participants in criminal networks and victims of exploitation and control. Moreover the study emphasizes the importance of early coordinated and gender aware individually adapted preventive interventions involving social service, school, police, leisure time and family support.