THE AARHUS MODEL -An overview

Jan Gehlert (Head of Section) Department of Social Services

City of Aarhus, Denmark

23rd of June 2016

330.000 citizens

Second biggest city in Denmark

Young city – University city

Two ”ghetto areas” (Gellerup /Bispehaven)

15 % with different ethnic background

(20 % in schools)

2007 - now

• Radicalization - a process leading to a persons gradual acceptance of

the use of violence or other illegal means to further political or religious agendas

• Violent extremism - the use of violence or other illegal means to

further political or religious agendas

• Terrorism - the use of violent means to purposefully scaring a population

with the intent to destabilize or destroy a nations political, economic or social

structure

Strategy

Proportionality

Multi-agency

Use the existing possibilities

Narrow expertise – widespread awareness

Penal code § 114

Constitutional rights

Area of operation

Collaboratory approach

7

…can lead to violent extremism or terrorism

Political … Religious … Ideological … ………………commitment……………

Violent extremism Terrorism

”Tipping point”

Prevention Security

The process of Radicalization …

Crime prevention

SSP

Schools – Social Services – Police

• SSP have since the 70’s been a crime-prevention network for children and the young

• Since the late 90’s have also included adults

Deradicalization in Aarhus is built on this structure

Early intervention: ”Soft approach”

General: Raising awareness: Professionals and the public

Collaboration with local communities

Individual:

Risk evaluation

Advising professional staff

Advising individuals and families

Mentoring , social services, employment, education

Protective Factors & resilience

• Inclusion (participation)

• Identity (purpose and meaning of life)

• Care and strong social bonds

• Positive group dynamics

• Life skills

Risk Factors

Push • Exclusion (frustration, isolation,

intolerance)

• Poor living conditions

• Personal or social crisis

• Frustration, intolerance

Pull

• Recruitment

• Distorted forms of protective factors

(e.g. rigid social identity, negative

group dynamics, cult-like group

dynamics, etc.)

Workshop to raise awareness

Presentation to raise Awareness

Seminars, public and for

professionals

Family Network

Mentors

Infohouse

Surveys and

risk assessment

Syrian Contingency and EXIT

In general

Specifically

Individually

Self-sustaining

In need of help

Intervention

INFO HOUSE

Screening

Visitation

Survey

Risk- assessment

Steering group

Task Force

Schools

Prisons

Social Services

Youth clubs, NGO’s, etc.

Streetworkers

Families, network and Citizens

Counselling

Mentor

Social Services

Exit

Psychiatry

Suppliers Organisation Interventions

Police

Focus areas

• Community outreach

• Online radicalization

• Radicalization by parents

http://edition.cnn.com/2014/10/28/world/europe/denmark-syria-deradicalization-program/

Questions?