Extremist Prevention – A Guide
A guide to preventing radicalization: approaching violent extremism in our local community
Contents
- About the Guide, p3
- Information, confidentiality, consent and duty to prevent offenses, p4
- Definitions and key concepts, p5
- Plans, organizations, and multi-agency cooperation, p6
- Possible warning signs, p8
- Possible risk and protective factors, p12
- Measures to be taken, p15
- What to do if there is a concern, p18
- Contact details, p22
- About the Guide
This guide is intended to provide information on how we can prevent radicalization and the development of extremism in young people. The target groups are schools, child care, recreational and culture organisations working with youth.
The information within these guidelinesencompass a variety of facts, concepts, action plans, literature, links and contacts, tips on warning signs, clarification of these signs and possible measures to take going forward and in the event an individual is radicalized.The guide describes an action trail - from concern to action, from the local and relatively simple measures, and if necessitated heavier interdisciplinary cooperation with relevant stakeholders.
Concern for the individual person should be discussed first internally with designated resource persons. Then, an assessment should be made as to whether the concern should be escalated and reported further to the youth unit and / or local police, whether there is the needto cooperate further with other academic communities, and assess the need to understand or employpreventive measures.
In the currently existing initiatives and services within schools,child welfare, culture organisations, NAV(National employment service), prisons, police and so on dialogue, advice,guidance and follow-up conversations with the young (and possibly their parents) must be adapted to modern-day challenges. Serious concerns reported by local police to the Police Security Service (PST) or by other subjects or caregivers must be considered and implemented carefully.
- Information, confidentiality,consent and duty to preventoffenses
In these cases it is important know the same laws regarding the cooperation of multiple partners where multiple partners are involved.The individual ministry’s’ legislation and regulations must be observedconcerning the sharing and storing information.
Policy-sensitive data is relevant. Youth policyor religious belief should be regarded as sensitive information under the Personal Data Act. § 2 (Law no. 32/2000).A partnership should be based on the consent of the young person or theirparents or guardians. This must be stressed to all agencies to avoid serious violations of this Act.
3. Definitions and key concepts
Violent extremism
Violent extremism encompasses persons and organizations that are willing to use violence to achieve their political, ideological or religious goals. Violent extremism can be related to right-wing extremism, leftistextremism, extreme Islamism, among others.
Radicalization
Radicalization is a process, which under certain conditions,allow an individual to increasingly accept the use of violence to achieve political, ideological and religious goals. Radicalization is not synonymous with violent extremism but may contribute to the moral barriers are broken down and open for such violent activity.
An important distinction between radicalization and participation, radicalization versus engagement:
- Radicalisation is about a change in values and attitudes towards accepting the use of violence to achieve political, ideological or religious goals
- Participation (involvement) is about a change in behavior, such as walking into violent and other extremist activities
- These two processes are loosely connected - it can vary whichever comes first, and often the one process is not followed by the second:
- Some are first radicalized, and it leads to participation
- Radicalization can happen without it leading to participation
- Participation can take place without prior radicalization
- Some participate, but is only superficially radicalized
Deradicalization
Deradicalization is a process, which under certain conditions,allows a person to accept not using violence to achieve political, ideological and religious goals, or to not have extreme views.
Hate crime og voldelig extremisme
There are a lot of hate crime that are an expression of prejudice and hatred without being ideological or organized that it is meaningful to call it extremism. There are also hate crimes that are not violent. Hate crime and violent extremism is therefore only partially overlapping but not coincident categories.Hatecrimesinclude threats, vandalism, etc. Oslo police released a report on hate crimes in 2013; the most serious incidents in recent times were the events that occurred in the government sector onthe 22nd of July 2011 and the murder of Benjamin Hermansen at Holmlia in 2001.
Online Extremism
Online Extremism and the incitement of violent extremism online is becoming an unavoidable reality; it is used to promote extreme ideologies and dialogue on the Internet - under Penal Code § 135 it is considered discriminatory and as hate speech.
4. Plans, organizations and multi-agency cooperation
Action Plan against radicalization and violent extremism
The action plan against radicalization and violent extremism was released in spring 2014 and describes relevant challenges, prevention strategies, measures and suggestions for dealing with concerns.
The current action plan is being revised, and under the leadership of a new supervisor, a new action plan will likely be more detailed and far more comprehensive than its predecessor.
Local cooperation against violent extremism in Time municipality
In the county there are several players who can be brought into this space, or are already working on these issues. Central to this work are the Police Security Service (PST) whom are key actors in preventive work in here in County Rogaland and the country in general.
The Police Council in Time municipality and the SLT Coordinator is responsible for coordinating and implementing prevention locally. A broad, constructive dialogue is a prerequisite for success. Furthermore, we can use various experts in the field within the various forms of extremism and bring them together to tackle the issue.
SLT model in Time
The Coordination of Local Crime Prevention Measures - Through interdisciplinary and interdepartmental cooperation we seek to uncover the concerns among young people and implement measures to address said concerns. The target group of SLT isyouth aged 12 - 18 years (up to 23 if they have special needs). In the SLT-committee of Time municipality there are representatives from middle school, high school, child care, nurse from youth health, OT, police with their under 18 representative, leisure and sports representatives, and child welfare and the drug psychiatry youth team. Other partners participate as and when required. Preventing violent extremism is part of the SLT work.
Police Security Service (PST)
PST is a special police unit directlypositioned under the umbrella of the Ministry of Justice. PST is a nationwide service with local units in police districts. PST’s goal is to prevent recruitment to violent extremism partly through its own activities and partly through cooperation with other agencies such as the police and municipalities. You can read aboutPST here:
5. Possible warning signs
There are a plethora of reasons that might lead a youth to join a violent extremist group. Whilst there is no one discernible reason, there are a number of common factors that might encourage someone to join: to garner attention for themselves or for the cause, to get confirmation and fulfil a sense of belonging, a search for identity, support, to find friends and embed themselves in social networks, adventure, status, power, rebellion, reaction to war and discontent to foreign policies, national policies and particularly those concerning immigrants or refugees, poverty, abuse, a connection to transnational identity, oppression are just some.
There is no blueprint for prevention. We are talking about a complex set of motivations that likely include a variety of the above.Below are some warning signs to look out for.
Warning signs
Statements
• Intolerance of others' views
• Conspiracy theories and hate rhetoric
• Sympathy for absolute solutions that abolition of democracy
• Legitimizing violence
• Threats of violence to achieve political goals
Interests / Appearance / Symbolism
• Appeal to and searching for extremist material on the web.
• Changes the appearance, dress etc.
• Uses symbols related to extremist ideals and organizations.
• Dropping out of school, recreational activities etc.
Activities
• Concerned extremism on the Internet and social media.
• Participates in demonstrations and violent clashes with other groups.
• User threats and violence as a result of extremism.
• Hate crimes.
• Tourism activities which may lead to increased radicalization and contact withknown extremists.
Friends and social networks
• Change in network and social circle.
• Interact with people and groups who are known for extremism.
• Joining groups where it exerted threats of violence or othercriminal activity.
• Members of extremist groups, networks and organizations.
Signs and symbols - internal codes
Featured extreme right and extreme Islamist hostile symbolism and codes are also useful to know and to look out for:
The number 14 is a numeric code for a neo-Nazi slogans comprising of 14 words and is called "The 14 words": "We must secure the existence to our people and a future for our white children.”
This symbol is often used as a hidden symbol of neo-Nazi belonging and is understood as a “hidden uniform”, usually appearing onjewellery such as a ring, or t-shirts such as a football jersey.
The numbers18/88are used similarly to the above number 14. This represents the alphabetical equivalent to numeric values - 1 = A, 8 = H. The numbers mean:Adolf Hitler / Heil Hitler
Islamist extremism symbolism
"Jihadist groups" are very active on the internet and in social media where they set their focus on young people. Likewise, the Norwegian group The Prophets Ummah targetyoung, primarily Muslims where they pick out the vulnerable. They convert movie posters, as Lord of the Rings and the computer game Call of Duty to appeal to youth.
6. Possible risk and protective factors
Personal factors:
Family based factors:
Social factors
Motivation factors
Ideological and cultural factors
7. Measures to be taken
We canuse a variety of methods, measures and services within different sectors. It is the sum of the preventive efforts against crime, hate crime and violent extremism that gives results, such as the municipal efforts coordinated through SLT model. Below we briefly outline some relevant services, measures and methods.
Cooperation between services and sectors
In the Action Plan against radicalization and violent extremism (2014) aims for a comprehensive approach to the challenges. More of the measures outlined in the action plan are not implemented, but it is assumed from Time Municipality side that this is done.
The Government will revise the action plan to strengthen the prevention work against radicalization and violent extremism through increased knowledge, more cooperation, and better coordination. Efforts must be strengthened across disciplines and sectors of society. The goal is to capture people at risk as early as possible and meet them with measures that work. Each action in the Action Plan rests with one ministry, while coordination responsibility lies with the Ministry of Justice and Emergency Ministry.
In the municipality, county and state the following services are central to this work:
The education sector in schools, recreation and culture, child welfare including health organized under child protection and the justice sector, PST, police, correctional services, mediation service, etc.
Individual Action Plan
Measures and services may be collected in an individual action plan for an individual at risk.
Dialogue as a method
Dialogue is a key method to prevent violent extremism. Dialogue as a method is well known from crime prevention work with children and young people that take place in the municipality and police. Dialogueencourages good relationships, understanding and respect, which in turn ensures good prevention, change and security - without extremism.
Empowerment Conversation
This is widely used by police in dealing with young offenders. The Empowerment Conversation is also, in a developed edition, used in the effort to prevent violent extremism. Time Police station can conduct conversations alone, in cooperation with PST or SLT and / or other agencies.
Mediation and reconciliation
Conflicts and abuse should be followed up with mediation and reconciliation between the parties through school mediation, mediation boards and / or monitoring team.
Close monitoring over time
In such a situation, SLT coordinate a support team around the concerned person who will conduct close monitoring over time.
Parental guidance and networking
Parental guidance and parental networks can be established as needed locally, regionally or centrally. This can be coordinated and monitored by the SLT coordinator.
EXIT and deradicalization programs
These are a constant work in progress, but are looking to be completed in 2016 and rolled out for national use in Norway. The SLT coordinator in Time municipality contributes knowledge to the national action plan and works closely with the staff of the Police Academy. The Police Directorate (POD) is working to develop exit strategies.
Follow-up of people who want to participate / have participated in conflictsabroad (foreign fighters)
People considering traveling abroad to participate in conflicts, or who have returned from conflicts are invited or summoned to Rogaland police. In advance of this it is established how and whetherthe municipality and other agencies or organizations will participate in dealing with such individuals. In a situation where a returned foreign fighter settles in Time municipality, the municipality’s psychosocial emergency team get anactive role. They will be supported by the SLT coordinator with in depth knowledge of issue etc., and RVTS Vest will get a very central role. Routines for this cooperation are being prepared now.
Measures in relation to the individual:
• Individual plan
• Inter-agency cooperation
8. What to do if there is a concern
Step 1. Action:
Enter into dialogue with the young.
Employees who are concerned and / or are approached by youth displaying possible concern characters discuss any concerns with colleagues (see possible concern signs).
Responsible: staff
Step 2. Action:
Discuss concern.
If the youth attends school, discuss concerns with management and consult any educational and professional resources the school has. An employee at each unit has one main responsibility for following up these discussions when needed.
Responsible: management at the school
Step 3. Action:
Pass on the concern.
School or unit can discuss the case anonymously with child welfare and / or local police. Contact both child welfare and the police.
Responsible: school, unit, child welfare, police
Step 4. Action:
Empowerment conversation.
If several bodies are worried about radicalization, hate crimes and extremism police can follow up with a concern conversation with the young and his/hers guardians. Serious concerns are to be reported to PST by local police.
Responsible: Police, child, parent or guardian
Step 5. Action:
Interdisciplinary collaboration.
Who coordinates the work around youth? Make a plan to work integrated with the young.
Responsible: Municipality across sectors / SLT
Step 6. Action:
Follow-up.
Monitoring measures in the plan - Relationship building and mentoring, help finding alternative environment such as work, school, housing, sports, new hobbies,networks and social grups. Include guardians in this work.
Responsible: Municipality across sectors, trustees, guardians
Step 7. Action:
Contact PST
With continued concern, reportthe case to PST. Will be done by local police if this has not this been done earlier by SLT or other actors.
Responsible: Police, PST, SLT, other parties
Example:
• "Staff X” suspect "Y" student is radicalized:
1. "Staff X" discusses concern with a colleague
2. It appears that there are concerns regarding radicalization
3. The concern is discussed with parent
• Discussion with police, SLT coordinator
1. Consent (in writing) from the client to report concerns further to the police?
2. Not consent of the client, consider exemptions inconfidentiality: Public Administration § 13b, 5 and 6, the Child Welfare Act§ 6-7, subsection 3, of the Social Services Act § 44, paragraph 4, Healthand Omsorgstj. Act § 12-1, paragraph 3, Averting criminal code. § 139.
• Concern leads to message to police (child care, or other relevant agency)
1. Empowerment conversation / clarification conversation or the like conducted.
2. Need for more: large meeting with all concerned SLT and family, individual Plan created + coordinator / contact person.
• Measures in the plan are followed up:
1. Evaluation Deadlines and what will be evaluated how
2. Continued concern leads the police to notify local PST
3. Further cooperation Police / PST
In a situation where local authorities deduce that a person is in immediate danger of leaving the country as a foreign fighter:
• Identify positive resources in that his family / network / denominations
• Create a group of relevant individuals to bring together
• Mobilize these individuals for discussion
• Locate the relevant resource persons, services in the district, municipality / county / health region / police / PST / community
• Is there a need for help from someone with a phenomenon and / or cultural competence?
• Is there a need for actors from NGOs if he does not want to have contact with the public services?
• Media strategy
•The emergency situation! What will be done during different scenarios?
• Travel plans and potential seizure of passports.
• Follow-up of the family. Follow the family into the support system; do not let them carry the burden of contacting the system all alone.
If the person leaves the country we must be ready to provide the family assistance and support over time.
Inclusion and experience of belonging
The core of radicalization prevention is the same as for the preventing aschool dropout, substance abuse and crime. We must work actively to prevent someone feeling they are on the outside of the "good community". We must try to help the youth develop him/her self and create an identity of being a part of the community and not as marginalized and by so, pushing them into extremist environments.