ABSTRACT

At the outset the facilitator clarifies to the group the purpose of the programme which is to focus upon the reasons why girls join gangs and the difficulties and problems entailed in gang membership. The facilitator highlights the reasons for young people joining gangs. The facilitator highlights the fact that most of the session will follow a similar format with an introduction, a warm-up activity, a diary entry which tells the story of Sharelle who joins a girl gang but ultimately realises that this was not the right option for her, and seeks to withdraw from the gang. The activity for both primary and secondary groups offers the chance for participants to explore the benefits of belonging to different groups which are not classified as gangs.