Page 63 - Aug Sept 2016

Violence and Violent Crime- The Gender Consideration
as her occupation - as well as her predominantly male gang). However, a
gender role - was one of career. problem arises which is twofold: firstly

and perhaps obviously, not all female
It is difficult of course to do a proper offenders - violent or otherwise - are in
comparative analysis without knowing gangs. Secondly, there is a danger that the
the details of the ‘violence against study will produce results more likely to

the person’ offences committed by provide an insight into gang culture rather
both men and women. There are a than any comparative study of female and

number of ‘assaults’ committed by male criminality.
women which may well not have been
prosecuted had they been committed Current statistics show the highest num-

by men; it is impossible to say without ber of female offenders committed ‘drugs
knowing more about both the offence offences’ with the second highest for

and the offender (regardless of gender). ‘violence against the person’ followed by
Obtaining goods for sale (to provide ‘theft and handling’. For many, women
money to pay bills/food) or obtaining who commit violence do so mainly in self-

goods - such as shoplifting food/ defense or protection of a child; females
clothing is more common among are not seen as inherently violent. But is

female offenders than males. Analysis this perception false?
of current statistics shows that the
highest number of female offenders One of the possible reasons behind women

committed ‘drugs offences’ with the committing fewer ‘serious’ offences could
second highest being for ‘violence be their role as mother/career. Given that

against the person’ followed by ‘theft a large proportion of children are either
and handling’. For many, women brought up by single mothers or by moth-
who commit violence do so mainly in ers due to fathers working longer hours (or

self-defense or protection of a child; being the sole breadwinner) women gener-
females are not seen as inherently ally have the main, if not sole, responsibil-

violent. But is this perception false or ity for child rearing. Therefore, the ability
misleading? for women commit crimes - unless they
left their children elsewhere, or were child-
Most studies of the culture and less - was severely restricted. The risk of

phenomenon of gangs tend to focus on being caught and sent to prison - and vio-
males (though some do mention ‘girl lent offences generally attract higher tariffs
gangs’ or girls in gangs as a peripheral - meant that any benefit of committing a

but distinctly intricate part of a crime seemed unattractive. Of course, this

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