Gang Prevention

A sustainable approach to preventing young people from becoming involved in gangs lies in addressing the underlying social conditions that are seen to increase the vulnerability of young people to join gangs. This approach is adopted by the National Crime Prevention Strategy of the Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness Canada and is supported by research around crime prevention and positive youth development.

Drawing on this evidence, the CSGV uses a risk-protective framework to increase protective factors by building positive relationships and patterns of interactions with young people, and by creating positive social environments surrounding young people—community, family, service organizations, and by promoting social and economic policies that support positive youth development.

Everyone—young people, families, neighbours, service providers, funding organizations and government—can do their part to build assets and protective factors surrounding young people.

Change in the conditions that give rise to gang violence and the impact of our approach is more likely to occur through the collaborative efforts of everyone in a community—individuals, families, neighbourhoods, schools, service organizations and all levels of government.

With this collaborative effort, we will find community solutions to gang violence.