AM I VIOLENT OR AGGRESSIVE?

The offender is the person or group who acted in an aggressive or violent manner against another person or group, causing physical, financial and /or emotional damage.

Anyone who supports or encourages others to be aggressive or violent towards someone, even if not directly involved in the aggression, is also an offender.
Example: someone who spreads rumors or encourages a classmate to provoke a fight with another classmate.

Violence can be committed in different contexts and relationships:

• at home, in family relationships. Read more on domestic violence - what is it?
  
  
• in dating relationships. Read more on dating violence – what is it?
  
  
• at school, with peers. Read more on bullying – what is it?
  
  
• on a sexual level. Read more on sexual violence - what is it?
  
  
• through the internet, in online relationships. Read more on online abuse – what is it?
  
  
• on the street. Read more on street violence – what is it?
  
  

Violence can be committed by one offender against a victim or group of victims.

It can also be committed by a group of offenders acting together against a victim or group of victims.
An example of this is gangs or groups of violent youths (read more on Gangs and group violence).

 What are the reasons for being aggressive or abusive against someone?

These are some possible explanations (many others can be given)

• they have learnt that violence is a way, despite being a wrong one, to solve problems and conflicts with friends, classmates and boyfriend/girlfriend, etc.;
  
  
•  they have difficulty dealing with negative emotions (such as rage and frustration);
  
  
•  they want to feel better, bigger or tougher than others;
  
  
• they want to have more power than others.
  
  

 What is a gang or a group of violent youths?

It is a group of youths who spend a lot of time together, mainly on the streets and other public areas and who are involved in behaviours that break social norms and, sometimes, the law.

This type of group normally has:

• a set of rules (that is, what gang members are supposed to do);
  
  
• a group identity, normally easy to identify by the distinct clothes and accessories that all members use, by the language they use or the way they greet each other using particular hand signs;
  
  
• a name;
  
  
• a leader;
  
  
• a territory (that is, a town, neighbourhood, scheme or school area that is seen as theirs and for that reason is under their control).
  
  

 What gang behaviours break social norms and the law?

• Using verbal, physical or sexual violence against others (normally other youths), for fun, enjoyment or an adrenaline rush.
  
  
• Using violence or threats to steal someone’s personal items and/or to break into public establishment.
  
  
• Carrying weapons (different types of knives, from kitchen to pocket knives, fire weapons) and use them to perform violent acts.
  
  
• Involvement in behaviours that endanger their own and the lives of others, such as alcohol or drug consumption, driving under the effect of these substances or driving without a licence.
  
  
• Destroying or vandalizing objects and structures that serve the community, such as cash machines and rubbish bins through graffiti or fire.
  
  

Gang involvement in dangerous behaviours, including violence, is part of their identity.
This type of activity defines what the group is, distinguishes gangs from other youth groups and portrays the way they want to be seen by others.

PLEASE NOTE!
Just because you have a group of friends of your age with which you spend a lot of time together that does not mean you are part of a gang! But, it is possible that you are a member of a gang if you and your group are involved in the types of behaviour just mentioned.

 Why are gangs associated with violence?

Violence is part of the gang's personality:

• The gang behaves violently for the fun and the adrenaline rush it causes.
  
  
• Violence is a (wrong) strategy used by gang members to feel more powerful than others.
  
  
• Violence brings them material rewards – through violence the gang obtains money and items (for example, clothes, mobile phones…).
  
  
• Through violence they resolve conflicts inside the group.
  
  
• Through violence they confront rival groups who are seeking to increase their status, recognition and power.
  
  
• Violence is a form of retaliation or reaction to the provocations and violence of other rival groups.
  
  

 What causes a youth to become involved in a gang?

 To be near people we like (often family, such as siblings or cousins).

 To be accepted.

 To be respected.

 To feel important.

 For status and power.

 To feel safe, protected and supported.

 To belong.

 To have friends.

 To have fun.

 For the excitement and risk.

 For the excitement and risk.

It may also happen for other reasons:

• Peer pressure.
• Intimidation through threats or violence.
• Being forced to be part of it (by other gang members).

Being violent against someone has negative consequences for the victim of your acts.

• domestic violence – how does it affect the victim?
  
  
• dating violence – how does it affect the victim?
  
  
• bullying – how does it affect the victim?
  
  
• sexual violence – how does it affect the victim?
  
  
• street violence – how does it affect the victim?
  
  
• online abuse - how does it affect the victim?
  
  

Besides that, violence can also have negative consequences for the person who commits it:

• getting wounded and injured during the violent acts;
  
  
• being attacked by the person or group against whom you acted violently;
  
  
• being rejected by the friends who do not agree with your behaviour;
  
  
• having problems or difficulties making new friendships;
  
  
• withdrawal from families (parents mainly);
  
  
• getting lower grades at school;
  
  
• having more conflicts and problems at school with classmates, teachers and other staff;
  
  
• loss of education or training opportunities;
  
  
• loss of employment opportunities or denial of access to job offers;
  
  
• facing the legal consequences (please read question below) of the violent acts committed.
  
  

 What are the possible legal consequences of taking part in crimes or violence?

There are very serious consequences and actions that can be taken for young people that get involved in illegal behaviours. If the young person is under 16 they may be dealt with by the Children’s Hearing System and required to attend a Children’s Hearing Panel, who will listen to the child’s circumstances and decide what treatment or interventions are required. For example, the Hearing may decide that the young person should be placed with foster carers, or in secure accommodation, or that they should remain at home with support from other agencies, such as social work. Sometimes, especially if the crime is very serious, a trial in a criminal Court will be required. The young person may have to attend Court where they will be asked questions by
lawyers and the judge or jury will decide whether the young person is guilty and should be given a sentence (e.g. a prison sentence, a fine, community work or something else).