how to prevent radicalization_ave_edit

Extremist Prevention – A Guide

A guide to preventing radicalization:

approaching violent extremism in our local

community

How to prevent radicalization: approaching violent extremism in our local community 1


Contents

1. About the Guide, p3

2. Information, confidentiality, consent and duty to prevent offenses, p4

3. Definitions and key concepts, p5

4. Plans, organizations, and multi-agency cooperation, p6

5. Possible warning signs, p8

6. Possible risk and protective factors, p12

7. Measures to be taken, p15

8. What to do if there is a concern, p18

9. Contact details, p22



1. 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 guidelines encompass 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 need to cooperate further with other academic communities, and assess the need to understand or employ preventive measures.

In the currently existing initiatives and services within schools, child welfare, culture organisations, NAV, 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.



2. Information, confidentiality, consent and duty to prevent offenses

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 observed concerning the sharing and storing information.

Policy-sensitive data is relevant. Youth policy or 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 their parents or guardians. This must be stressed to all agencies to avoid serious violations of this Act.


The duty to avert or prevent (STRL. § 139)

A fine or imprisonment of up to one year imposed on anyone who fails to report to the police, or otherwise, to avert an offense or consequences of it, at a time when this is still

possible and it emerges as definitely or most likely action will be or has been committed. The duty to avert applies without

regard to confidentiality.


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, leftist extremism, 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.

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

Violent extremism is a hate crime. Hate crimes include 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 on the 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 is youth 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 directly positioned 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 about PST here: www.pst.politiet.no


http://www.pst.politiet.no/


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 with known 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 other criminal 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:


This is the symbol of the Nordic Resistance Movement, pr. January 2015, this is the most active neo-Nazi movement in the Nordic region. It engages in active recruitment campaigns throughout Norway and has representatives in neighbouring municipalities. They have been doing various forms of solicitations in Time municipality.

Pegida is a movement that is critical of Islam, based primarily in Germany. This has spread to a number of different countries. Here in Norway it is now very active and holds ongoing demonstrations in several cities. It claims to be neither racist nor Nazi and in practice we see that they have very different sympathizers from different walks of life. Some are worried about Islam and Muslim presence in Norway, others are already belonging to various Islam-critical, partly hostile groups and individuals who have participated in the demonstrations have background from both the Norwegian Defence League and Neo-Nazi groups. Therefore, one must be aware with any teen’s association with Pegida.


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 on jewellery such as a ring, or t-shirts such as a football jersey.

The numbers 18/88 are 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 target young, 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.


Norwegian Defence League occurred as a Norwegian part of English Defence League, which in turn is part of the European network European Defence League. Here is there is a wide range of groups represented, ranging from hard-core neo-Nazi skinheads, general Islamic hostile football hooligans and people with different ideological stance. What they have in common is a strong scepticism about foreign cultural immigration and Islam. Many NDL affiliated individuals join the PEGIDA`s demonstrations.



Prophetic Ummah recognizes as supreme leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, the caliph of the Islamic state. The Islamic State is a militant, jihadist-salafist terrorist group Syria and Iraq.

Several of the key members have a criminal background and some have been killed in Syria.

Prophetic Ummah stood partly behind the demonstration against the anti-Muslim Muhammad film Innocence of Muslims outside the US embassy in Oslo September 2012 where tributes to Osama bin Laden were called.

They claim that the majority of Norwegian Muslims who have elected to participate in the civil war in Syria are members of the Prophets Ummah.

They use a variety of symbols, but at home they are more characterized by peaceful symbols like a twig with buds on. This has dual symbolism: peaceful impressions of the ignorant youth who grows and becomes Jihadists are the other understanding.


6. Possible risk and protective factors

Personal factors:

Family based factors:

Social factors


Risk Factors:

• Marginalized / discriminated

• No group belonging/ looking for belonging

• School Related Problems

• Mental issues

• Lacking knowledge

• Traumatic experiences

• Seeking answers

• Individual vulnerability

• Considers himself as victim

• Lacking self-control / impulsive

• Lacks meaning in life

Protective factors:

• Reflected youth.

• School

• Hobbies or active in sports

• Coping Sensation

• Robust

• Experience of opinion

• Confidence

• Quality of life

• Good mental health

Risk factors:

• The influence of transnational family life and networks

• Poor interaction in the family

• Parents who are struggling in parenthood

• Negative Social issues in the family

• Psychological problems in the family and drug use

• Poverty or unemployment

• Violence or other neglect

• Extreme sympathies among friends, family or relatives

Protective factors:

• Resourceful family

• High socioeconomic status

• Supportive parents

• Good communication and interaction


Motivation factors

Ideological and cultural factors


Risk Factors:

• Low social status

• No group belonging/looking for belonging

• Marginalized youth

• Perceived discrimination

• Negative impact of friends

• Little or no participation in social gatherings

• Unemployed

• Criminal lifestyle in a high crime area

Protective factors:

• Positive influence of friends

•Have a job

• Go to school

• pro-social friends

• Participation in mainstream society

• Participation in organized or / and unorganized activities

• Securely local area

Risk Factors:

• Need for belonging in a group

• Acknowledgements

• Excitement

• Protection

• Extremist role models

• Feeling that one's religion, culture, country, nation etc. is under attack

Protective factors:

• Engaging with constructive dialogue and inclusion

• Listening to genuine worries

• Show genuine care and understanding of different actual issues and world problems

• Ask constructive questions that challenge ideology

Risk Factors:

• Political debate – cultural Dissatisfaction with identity, social and economic injustice

• Proof of identity and justification of violence to achieve a goal

Protective factors:

• An understanding of democracy, freedom of choice, tolerance and respect for diversity.

• Critical thinking, to sources and



Risk Factors:

• Political debate – cultural Dissatisfaction with identity, social and economic injustice

• Proof of identity and justification of violence to achieve a goal

Protective factors:

• An understanding of democracy, freedom of choice, tolerance and respect for diversity.

• Critical thinking, to sources and


7. Measures to be taken

We can use 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. Dialogue encourages 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 conflicts abroad (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 whether the 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 an active 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, report the 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 in confidentiality: Public Administration § 13b, 5 and 6, the Child Welfare Act § 6-7, subsection 3, of the Social Services Act § 44, paragraph 4, Health and 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 a school 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.

It turns out that the similarities between individuals in different extremist groups, whether ethnic Norwegian right-wing extremists, ethnic Norwegian converts or the Prophet Ummah activists, foreign fighters going to Syria, most have a difficult background with multiple risk factors, a small number have completed high school and many have criminal background. This applies not all, but most.

Early intervention

The principle is to seek the early intervention also applies here. It is much more challenging and costly to implement measures when extreme attitudes and values has gained deep attachment to the individual, and any deradicalization involves breaking with own social belonging, identity and internalized norms.

Education institutions

The SLT coordinator has continuous contact with the secondary schools in Time municipality and Bryne high school. A concern of this kind will be reported to the U18 responsible police and SLT- coordinator, who will assist in the further work as a municipal resource



9. Contact Details

SLT-work in Time municipality

This is the website of the SLT in Time municipality, where you can find information about working with at-risk youth and other information about SLT: http://www.time.kommune.no/tenester-i-time/barn-og-utdanning/SLT/

Information from the Ministries

This is the website of the ministries with information about radicalization and violent extremism. The website is for people who want help, advice or knowledge about radicalization and violent extremism. It can be useful for employees of schools, child welfare and police, or to others who work with youth, parents and the young people themselves: www.radikalisering.no

Important Phone Numbers

Time Police Station Tel: 51 53 78 50

PST Tel: 51 89 90 00

SLT coordinator Tom Olsen Tel: 920 99 052

PO Box 38, 4349 Bryne

Tel: 51 77 60 00

Fax 51 48 3:00 p.m.

Email: [email protected]

Web: www.time.kommune.no


http://www.radikalisering.no/

http://www.time.kommune.no/tenester-i-time/barn-og-utdanning/SLT/

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