Investigating the linkages between FASD, gangs, sexual exploitation and woman abuse in the Canadian aboriginal population

The purpose of this research report for the Native Women’s Association of Canada (NWAC) is to provide an exploratory investigation into the linkages between many of the above- mentioned phenomena - to begin a journey into making the connection between FASD, sexual exploitation, gangs, and extreme violence in the lives of Aboriginal young women.1. [...] A complicating factor to this study of FASD and the involvement of Aboriginal women and youth in gangs. [...] The degree of organization is defined by: the structure and hierarchical nature of the gang; the gang’s connection to larger, more serious organized crime groups; the sophistication and permanence of the gang; the existence of a specific code of conduct or set of formal rules; initiation practices; and the level of integration, cohesion, and solidarity between the gang’s members.26 Membership comm [...] Key findings include: • 24% of the known cases are of missing women and girls • 67% of the known cases are of murder (defined as homicide or negligence causing death) • The majority of cases occurred in the western provinces: 26% of the incidents occurred in British Columbia,34 17% in Alberta, 14% in Manitoba, and 12% occurred in Saskatchewan • 52% of the cases in the database involve women and gi [...] For example, the Association of Community Living, in partnership with Prostitution Empowerment and Education Resources Society (PEERS), has been working on these issues through the Winnipeg Working Group on FASD and the Sex Trade.52 Gangs and FASD With the exception of Totten’s preliminary research, there are not any published studies on the relationship between FASD and gang involvement.