CFSEU-BC
Girls in Gangs
Girls’ involvement in gangs is often shaped by factors that differ from those experienced by boys. Research shows that relationships, trauma, exploitation, and a search for belonging can all play a role.
When people picture gang involvement, they rarely picture girls. But girls and young women across British Columbia are recruited into gangs every year — and their pathway in usually looks nothing like the stereotype.
Research shows most girls don’t join a gang seeking crime or violence. They join because the gang appears to offer what every young person needs: belonging, love, acceptance, protection, and security. For girls whose lives are missing those things, a gang can feel like a surrogate family.
And most girls aren’t recruited by strangers. They’re introduced by someone they trust — a boyfriend, a family member, or a close friend. That’s why prevention doesn’t start with judgment. It starts with understanding.
All this July, our four-part video series follows that story — why girls join, the reality behind the myths, the warning signs, and the connection that protects. Learn the signs, know the facts, and know that help is free, confidential, and available right now.
Follow the seriesGang recruitment doesn’t always begin with crime. Sometimes it starts with attention, gifts, protection, or someone making a girl feel like she finally belongs. Over time, that attention can turn into control.
See the SignsOr a sudden new friend group she is secretive or defensive about.
Clothes, nails, phones, rides — with no job or proof of employment.
Withdrawing from family, longtime friends, and activities she used to enjoy.
A sudden drop in performance, skipping classes, or leaving school.
Going missing overnight, with stories that don’t add up.
Or a new fearfulness, anxiety, or jumpiness.
Or highly secretive online and social media activity.
Tattoos, gang colours, or graffiti on notebooks and personal items.
Especially when supplied “free” by new friends.
One sign alone may not mean danger. But several together deserve attention — recognizing the signs today could help prevent harm tomorrow.
For girls: real support should never make you feel trapped. For parents: stay connected, ask questions, and trust your instincts.
Not every girl joins a gang because she wants a criminal lifestyle. Watch how recruitment really happens, and how understanding — not judgment — opens a safer path forward.
Over four weeks, our video series explored one part of the story at a time — why girls join, the myths, the warning signs, and the connection that protects. Watch them all right here.
A longer conversation with a human trafficking expert on how gangs exploit girls and young women — and what communities can do about it.
“Prevention doesn’t start with judgment. It starts with understanding.”
Girls in Gangs · A CFSEU-BC CampaignRecruiters seek out vulnerable girls and offer friendship, protection, and material goods — at first free of charge. Common recruitment settings include schools, malls, bus loops, parks, parties, and social media.[4][8]
Exposure to violence and victimization makes gangs appealing to young women — yet once involved, girls face more exploitation and victimization, not less.[1]
Canadian research found that women and girls involved in gangs are frequently sexually exploited and, in some cases, trafficked by gang members for profit.[4][6]
Women connected to the B.C. gang conflict have been targets, not bystanders — girlfriends and associates of gang members have been among its homicide victims.[4]
Movies and social media can make gang life look exciting. The reality is often manipulation, exploitation, and control.
Girls join gangs because they want a criminal lifestyle.
Girls are recruited by strangers.
A gang will protect her.
The gifts, money, and attention are free.
They’re an investment. What is given “free” at the start — clothes, drugs, parties, protection — is later called in as debt, obligation, and control.[4]
Girls only play minor, background roles.
Men are usually the ones that get searched — not women.
The promise isn’t true. When officers search everyone, girls are the ones left holding the evidence — and facing the consequences.
Once she’s in, there’s no way out.
People leave gang life every year with the right support. In B.C., free, confidential, judgment-free help is available — no strings attached.[10]
They’re not asking you to be family. They’re asking you to take the risk for them. Don’t let someone else make you take the fall.
“You deserve relationships that lift you up — not ones that use you.”
Girls in Gangs · A CFSEU-BC CampaignThe strongest protection is real connection — trusted adults, supportive friends, positive role models, and opportunities that build confidence, resilience, and a true sense of belonging. And when more help is needed, CFSEU-BC’s Gang Intervention and Exiting Team (GIET) is here for anyone who wants to leave gang life — working alongside local community outreach and provincial supports — with help for education, employment, counselling, life coaching, mental health, and safety planning.
To every girl: you deserve relationships that lift you up — not ones that use you. To parents and caring adults: stay present, listen without judgment, and keep the conversation going.
One conversation today could save a life tomorrow
Look for a pattern of changes rather than one sign: a new, often older boyfriend or secretive friend group; money, gifts or rides she can’t explain; pulling away from family and old friends; slipping at school; staying out late or going missing overnight; a second phone; unexplained injuries; new tattoos or gang symbols; and alcohol or drug use supplied by new friends. Several of these together deserve attention.
Stay calm and stay connected. Ask open questions, listen without judgment, and let her know she can come to you no matter what. Then get support: CFSEU-BC’s Gang Intervention and Exiting Team (GIET) offers free, confidential help, and families can reach out at 604-897-6023 or gangintervention@cfseu.bc.ca. The Youth Against Violence Line (1-800-680-4264) is available 24/7. If she is in immediate danger, call 9-1-1.
Often, yes. Canadian and B.C. research has found that girls and women involved in gangs are frequently sexually exploited and, in some cases, trafficked by gang members for profit.[4][6] The Canadian Human Trafficking Hotline is available 24/7 at 1-833-900-1010.
Every conversation matters. Every connection counts. Together, we can help girls find belonging before someone else offers them a false version of it.
CFSEU-BC — for anyone who wants to leave gang life — 604-897-6023 · gangintervention@cfseu.bc.ca
Education, real stories, and support — endganglife.ca
Talk or report, 24/7, confidential — 1-800-680-4264
24/7 support in 240+ languages — 1-800-563-0808
B.C.’s school safety strategy — gov.bc.ca/erase
Warning signs and prevention — rcmp.ca
National research and prevention programs — publicsafety.gc.ca
24/7 national support for youth — 1-800-668-6868 or text CONNECT to 686868
24/7, confidential — 1-833-900-1010
In an emergency, always call 9-1-1
Everything on this page is drawn from Canadian research and government sources. Numbers correspond to the citations above.
Dunbar, L. (2017). Youth Gangs in Canada: A Review of Current Topics and Issues. Ottawa: Public Safety Canada. publicsafety.gc.ca
Public Safety Canada. Youth Gangs in Canada: What Do We Know? Building the Evidence series, citing the 2002 Canadian Police Survey on Youth Gangs. publicsafety.gc.ca
Public Safety Canada. Youth Gang Involvement: What Are the Risk Factors? publicsafety.gc.ca
Abbotsford Youth Commission (2010). Girls, Gangs and Sexual Exploitation in British Columbia. Prepared for the BC Ministry of Public Safety and Solicitor General. www2.gov.bc.ca (PDF)
Totten, M. (2008). Promising Practices for Addressing Youth Involvement in Gangs. Victoria: BC Ministry of Public Safety and Solicitor General. www2.gov.bc.ca (PDF)
Totten, M., with the Native Women’s Association of Canada (2010). Research on gang-associated sexual exploitation and trafficking of Indigenous women and girls. ourcommons.ca (PDF)
Royal Canadian Mounted Police. Youth Gangs — Centre for Youth Crime Prevention. rcmp.ca
Dorais, M., & Corriveau, P. (2009). Gangs and Girls: Understanding Juvenile Prostitution. Montreal: McGill-Queen’s University Press.
Surrey Schools / Safer Schools Together. Early Warning Signs: Youth and Gang Involvement. surreyschools.ca
CFSEU-BC. Gang Intervention and Exiting Team (GIET). endganglife.ca
Note: the most recent national police survey of youth gangs dates to 2002; figures are presented with that caveat and are considered conservative by researchers.
Last reviewed: September 21, 2026.