Rise of gang-related violence needs a deeper approach, sociologist says

The rise of gang-related violence in South Auckland is best addressed by focusing on the issue of family violence, a sociologist says.

It comes as South Auckland communities are calling for an increased police presence to deal with gang crime after a spike in gang-related shootings.

In the last year, there have been more than a dozen gang-related shootings or murders in South Auckland, leaving the community on edge.

Dr Jarrod Gilbert is a senior lecturer at the University of Canterbury and author of the book, Patched the History of Gangs in New Zealand.

Speaking to TVNZ1’s Breakfast, he said that unless the problem of family violence is addressed, the problem of gang violence will remain.

“Family violence is a far more significant issue than the problems that the gangs cause, any day of the week,” he said.

“Those kids that are raised in those families tend to be the next generation of offenders who will go on to cause harm,” Mr Gilbert said.

“Until we genuinely tackle the problem of family violence in New Zealand, we will really get nowhere with a number of different concerns,” he said.