Research and Evaluation on Gangs and Gang Violence NIJ-2019-15270

This project will examine individual, family, and community factors associated with girls’ desistance from gangs and gang-related crime in a transnational border community in Texas. The sample population and data collection will include interviews of stakeholders (e.g., community leaders, experts in gang intervention, experts in gender-responsive programming), interviews and surveys from direct care staff (e.g., mental health case workers, juvenile probation officers, social workers), and in-depth interviews with gang-involved girls ages 14-25. The project builds off a previous California study and will be guided by an advisory board. Data collection from girls will address issues including, but not limited to, trauma and victimization, neighborhood and sociopolitical environment (e.g., business interactions between her gang affiliation and the Mexican cartels) of her community and the individuals she interacts with, her gang role, family history, justice involvement, self-reported delinquency, substance use, dating violence, and gender socialization. The project will help inform interventions for girls involved in gangs. "Note: This project contains a research and/or development component, as defined in applicable law," and complies with Part 200 Uniform Requirements - 2 CFR 200.210(a)(14). CA/NCF