The landscape of risk inherent in the social field of the gang affects young people in different ways and depends on the perceived proximity to danger or on the gangs involved. Members become cognisant of some, but not always all, the dangers. To survive in this social field, members must adapt and learn quickly. To do this, some employ their individual agency or strategise their way to distinction. All, however, must employ and adapt their personal survival strategies in order to avoid victimisation. This chapter examines the key survival strategies identified in the SW9 research.

Maintaining awareness of field position

A decline in street capital, individual reputation or field position is described as ‘sliding’ or ‘falling’. As one member put it, ‘Once you have fallen, you can be targeted.’ Thus it is important to maintain your reputation and your ‘visualness’ (i.e. visual presence and visual impact). Falling occurs when, for whatever reason, an individual's street capital takes a downward turn. Other gang members are usually the first to notice it happening. The individual concerned may become aware of the situation through comments or rumours, but are more likely to become target of disrespect, violence or attack. Falling may occur as a result of a single event where an individual ‘loses’ their stripes – for example, by failing to carry out a request, or reneging on their word – or a cumulative series of events, such as absenteeism, a failure to stand up for oneself, allowing others to show disrespect, or no longer having an appetite for ‘the game’ or for violence. Members assess views on your recent performance, swapping stories about how you have ‘lost it’ and that you are ‘well off your game’ -thus the perceived slide begins. Minor events and altercations accumulate to push the individual further down. Other members may nurture a vested interest in another's fall and actively seek to expedite this or take advantage of the decline to elevate themselves. This can be both overt and covert, and may include informing on the victim's activities. Sliding is therefore dangerous for a gang member: