A psychosocial study on crime and gender: Position, role and status of women in a sample of Spanish criminal organizations

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to determine the socio-demographic characteristics of a sample of females (N= 200) who have belonged to organized crime groups (N = 67) that have operated in Spain between 1999 and 2010, along with what their roles and status have been. The information has been mined from police records provided by the Central Operational Unit of the Guardia Civil. The results enable us to conclude that most of the females are adults, and that many of them have family or partner ties to the organizations. Furthermore, they are actively involved in these criminal groups, mainly performing jobs that do not require the use of violence, and they are especially needed for internal security. In terms of status, the majority seem to be at the lowest level of the organizational structure, although we have managed to identify some women who have played leadership roles in criminal organizations. © 2014 Fundacion Infancia y Aprendizaje.