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Understanding the relationship between violent victimization and gang membership

Author

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  • Katz, Charles M.
  • Webb, Vincent J.
  • Fox, Kate
  • Shaffer, Jennifer N.

Abstract

Purpose Research examining factors that precipitate gang violence has contributed substantially to our understanding of gangs and gang activity with respect to offending, yet we still know relatively little about how gangs influence members' risk of victimization. The current study examines three hypotheses: (1) gang involvement and involvement in other risky lifestyles is related to violent victimization, (2) involvement in gang crime is associated with violent victimization, and (3) the presence of rival gangs is related to violent victimization.Methods The present study uses data obtained from 909 recently booked juvenile arrestees who were interviewed as part of the Arizona Arrestee Drug Abuse Monitoring (ADAM) program.Results Our findings indicated that prevalence of violent victimization was highest among gang members, followed by former gang members, gang associates, and non-gang members. After controlling for involvement in gang crime, however, gang membership per se did not significantly influence the juveniles' risk of serious violent victimization.Conclusions Our results call into question the conclusion that gang membership alone increases the likelihood of violent victimization vis-à-vis lifestyle/routine activities and/or collective liability. Instead our findings support prior research on the victim-offender overlap, that offending behaviors increase the risk of victimization.

Suggested Citation

  • Katz, Charles M. & Webb, Vincent J. & Fox, Kate & Shaffer, Jennifer N., 2011. "Understanding the relationship between violent victimization and gang membership," Journal of Criminal Justice, Elsevier, vol. 39(1), pages 48-59, January.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:jcjust:v:39:y::i:1:p:48-59
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    Cited by:

    1. Gibson, Chris L. & Swatt, Marc L. & Miller, J. Mitchell & Jennings, Wesley G. & Gover, Angela R., 2012. "The causal relationship between gang joining and violent victimization: A critical review and directions for future research," Journal of Criminal Justice, Elsevier, vol. 40(6), pages 490-501.
    2. Marcelo Castro & Cesar Tirso, 2023. "The impacts of the age of majority on the exposure to violent crimes," Empirical Economics, Springer, vol. 64(2), pages 983-1023, February.
    3. Posick, Chad & Gould, Laurie A., 2015. "On the general relationship between victimization and offending: Examining cultural contingencies," Journal of Criminal Justice, Elsevier, vol. 43(3), pages 195-204.

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