A bit about you…

Please tell us a little bit about you before we start.

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A bit about you…

02

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A bit about you…

03

Have you been to one of the Ben Kinsella exhibitions before?

We have one in Islington (London), Barking (East London) and Nottingham.

YesNoNot sure

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A bit about you…

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What is your email address?

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Gangs – an introduction

The word ‘gang’ can have many different meanings.

It could mean a group of friends. People say “I am hanging out with my gang” and this usually just means that they are hanging out with their friends.

It could mean a criminal gang. In this lesson, we are learning about criminal gangs.

What is a criminal gang?

Sometimes gangs are violent and might fight other gangs or carry weapons.

Some gangs take part in criminal activity and might try to get you involved with them. Being part of a gang like this can be dangerous. Sometimes you can be forced to commit a crime or do things that are unsafe.

If a gang carries knives or other weapons, they might get them out to show off or intimidate people. This can be very scary for other people, especially if they think the gang will use them.

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Joining a gang

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Why do you think people might want to join a gang?

You can select more than one answer.

Fitting in with friends and other gang membersHaving the same interests as other people, like sports or musicFeeling good, respected and importantTo be protected from bullying or from other gangsMaking lots of money from crime or drugsGaining status and feeling powerfulTo make new friendsTo feel part of a family

Answer:
All of these are reasons that people might join a gang.
Joining a criminal gang may start out well but it can lead to a world of violence, crime and prison which can be very difficult to get out of.

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Joining a gang

02

Watch this film about Tracey. She used to be in a gang. Whilst you’re watching it, think about why she got into a gang.

Why did Tracey say she was in a gang? You can select more than one answer.

Fitting in with friends and other gang membersHaving the same interests as other people, like sports or musicFeeling good, respected and importantTo be protected from bullying or from other gangsMaking lots of money from crime or drugsGaining status and feeling powerfulTo make new friendsTo feel part of a family

Answer:
She says

“I needed that adrenaline rush on a daily basis” and “I wasn’t doing it for the money…I was doing it for the adrenaline rush. Just to feed that need that I had”. Feeling good, respected and important was clearly a reason she was in the gang.

She also says

“being in a gang is like carrying your own little family…I never did disclose to any one of them why I was a part of that collective…I kept it hidden but I felt like I had family in them…”

so to feel part of a family was also a reason she was in the gang.

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Joining a gang

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What happened to Tracey as a result of being in a gang? Choose one answer.

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Consequences of joining a gang

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Watch this film about Elijah. He used to be in a gang. Whilst you’re watching it, think about why he got into a gang.

Why did Elijah say he was in a gang? You can select more than one answer.

Fitting in with friends and other gang membersHaving the same interests as other people, like sports or musicFeeling good, respected and importantTo be protected from bullying or from other gangsMaking lots of money from crime or drugsGaining status and feeling powerfulTo make new friendsTo feel part of a family

Answer:
He seems to have fallen into the gang without really thinking about it and he says

“It started off with just us in a park playing around … just normal kids on the estate… without thinking about it it just grew into this big gang”
so a big part of the choice he made to be part of the gang was down to his friends and having the same interests as them and other gang members, and also about fitting in with his friends and other gang members. He also says
“Its not like we’re born bad and want to be gangsters from the get go. You have a good intention at first but there’s no structural help or no one around you to help you.”

and he says he was arrested for bank robbery at the age of 15. Clearly, making money from crime was a big reason he was in the gang.

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Consequences of joining a gang

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What happened to Elijah as a result of being in a gang? Choose one answer.

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Leaving a gang

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Why was it difficult for Elijah to leave the gang? Choose one answer.

He had loyalty to his friendsHe was worried about people taking revengeHe was worried about losing moneyHe was worried about losing respectHe was worried about what his Mum might say

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Gangs

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Do you think Elijah made the right decision to leave the gang?

YesNo

Why?

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Making the right choices

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If you were Elijah or Tracey, what would you do to get yourself out of a similar situation?

If I was in their situation I would…

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If you are worried about being in a gang

If you are in danger, you should call 999 and ask for the police
The police help to keep the public safe, and they will help you if you need them.

Talk to an adult who you trust
Think about who you would talk to if you were one of these people. A trusted adult could be your mother, father or carer, or it could be a teacher at school or a youth worker or a social worker.

Seek support from a website or helpline
You can access many free, online services if you are worried. You can contact Childline by phone, email or online chat. Their website is www.childline.org.uk or you can call them on 0800 1111.

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Complete

Your results will be emailed to the email provided.