A thesis submitted in fulfilment of the requirements for the Degree of Master of Arts in Sociology in the University of Canterbury.

This thesis is a qualitative study that sets out to increase understandings about women's involvement in New Zealand gangs. Semi-structured, conversational interviews were conducted with women who have had experience in gangs and the data obtained was supplemented with information from gang members, associates, police, social service workers and the literature on gangs. There is an analysis on the role of women, what power and control tactics were used and how women's backgrounds relate to the motivation of being involved in gangs. The author focuses on the leaving process and identifies what coping strategies women employ to create personal safety in these violent situations. The findings support international research on female gang involvement. For many of the women, gangs provided a form of protection from domestic/family violence and physical/sexual abuse. These women were forced into a submissive subservient role under the threat of violence. The final strategy for these women was to make the decision to leave the gang altogether.

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