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I T V E I N F O R M A T I O NT O O L K I T O NV I O L E N TE X T R E M I S M

TermsofUse

Thisinformationtoolkitiscopyrightedmaterial.Itmaybedownloaded,printed,used,circulatedanddistributedfornoncommercialpurposes,freeofchargeandwithoutpriorauthorisation,providedthatthesourceisacknowledged.UsehereofforcommercialpurposesisstrictlyprohibitedandallchangestothecontentmustbeauthorizedinwritingbyJocelynBlanger,Ph.D.

Pleasequotethisdocumentasfollows

Blanger,J.J.,Nociti,N.,Chamberland,P.E.,Paquette,V.,Gagnon,D.,Mahmoud,A.,Carla,L.,LopesM.,Eising,C.(2015).BuildingaResilientCommunitywithinaMulticulturalCanada:InformationToolkitonViolentExtremism.UniversitduQubecMontral.

Liability

Thistoolkitwascreatedforinformationalpurposesonlyandtheauthorsshallnotbeheldliablefortheuseofinformationprovidedherein.

GraphicDesign&Infographics

AnastasiaLambrou

CopyrightBlanger,J.J.,UniversitduQubecMontral,2015.Allrights

reserved.

*Inthisdocument,themasculinegenderisusedasagenericandappliestobothmenandwomen.

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TableofContents

Introduction....................................................................................................................................................

Whatisradicalization?...................................................................................................................................Debunkingmythsconcerningviolentextremism..........................................................................................

Theingredientsofradicalization...................................................................................................................

Theradicalizationprocess...........................................................................................................................

Radicalizationontheinternet.....................................................................................................................

Violentextremism:riskfactors....................................................................................................................

Violentextremism:protectivefactors..........................................................................................................

Signsofviolentextremism...........................................................................................................................

Casestudies................................................................................................................................................

Abandoningviolentextremism....................................................................................................................

HowtoFacilitateDisengagement?..............................................................................................................

Summary.....................................................................................................................................................

Usefulcontacts...........................................................................................................................................

Glossary......................................................................................................................................................

Conclusion...................................................................................................................................................

Appendix......................................................................................................................................................

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Nowmorethaneverbefore,politicalviolenceisdrawingtheattentionofCanadiansandtheinternational

community.Intheaftermathofthe911,preventingsuchatrocitieshasbeenattheforefrontofCanadas

NationalDefenseagenda.However,thereisnothingtosuggestthatviolentextremismiswindingdown.

Overthepastfouryears,wehavewitnessedanupsurgeofpoliticallyorreligiouslymotivatedactsof

violence;notablytheassassinationattemptontheformerPremierofQuebecinSeptember2012,the

attackscarriedoutonOttawasParliamentandtheStJeanSurRichelieumilitarybaseinOctober2014,

nottomentiontheBostonMarathonbombingsinApril2013,andthemultipleshootingsinParisin

JanuaryandNovember2015.Thisescalationofviolence,bothinfrequencyandintensity,compelspre

emptiveinterventiononallfronts.

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Introduction

Whetheralonewolforamemberofaviolentorganisation,itisshockingtoseethattheperpetratorsareoftencitizensofthecountrytheyattack.Overthepastfewyears,over130Canadianshavetraveledabroadtojointheranksofextremistorganisations.SomeofthemwilleventuallyreturntoCanada.Thisbringstotheforethequestionofradicalizationandhowitleadstoviolentextremism.Specifically,whatarethepsychologicalandsocialfactorsthatpushmenandwomentoembraceideologiesthatdistancethemfromtheircommunityandcompelthemtouseviolencetofurthertheircause?

Understandingthephenomenonofradicalisationisaprerequisitetopreventviolentattacks,butalsotoreintegratethosewhohavefallenundertheinfluenceofviolentgroups,whotargetandexploityouthsvulnerabilityinsearchofpersonalsignificance.Buthowcanweaccomplishthisfeat?InthisInformationToolkitonViolentExtremism(ITVE),wewilllearnthatindividualscandisengagefromviolenceforthesamereasonstheyembracedit;anarrayofconstructiveandeffectivemethodsarepresentedtohelpthemachieveselffulfillment.

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Whocanbenefitfromthisinformationtoolkit?

Thisinformationtoolkitisintendedformembersofthepublicwithquestionsaboutradicalizationandthebestwaytohelppeopleclosetothemwhohaveembarkedinsuchaprocess.Thisdocumentismorespecificallyintendedforparentsandteacherswhoarewellpositionedtolookforbehaviouralsignsandtakepositiveactionwhendealingwithyoungpeople.

BuildingaCommunityResilienttoViolentExtremism

TheInformationToolkitonViolentExtremism(ITVE)ispartofapreventioninitiativeanditsmainobjectiveistobuildaresilientcommunity,i.e.,acommunitythatisawareofthesituationandwellequippedtoquashemergingpoliticalviolence,acommunitythatiscapableof:

1)helpingitsmembersrejectviolentideologies;2)reportingthosewhopromotesuchideologies;3)refusingtosuccumbtothefeartheseviolentgroupsattempttoinstil;4)flourishingbyrespectingeveryonesdifferences;5)helpingitsmemberstofindpeacefulwaysofencouragingsustainablesocialchange.

Thisapproachaimstodemystifyanddefineradicalization.Simplyput,itisaquestionofidentifyingthecomponentsthatcontributetoitsemergenceaswellasthesignsthereof,understandingthedegreesofpersonalinvolvementinanideologythatpromotesviolence,andexplainingthefactorsthatcontributetoradicalizationaswellasthosethatcontributetoderadicalization.SeveralcasestudiesofCanadiansarepresentedhereininordertoillustratesaidphenomena.

DistinguishingRadicalization,Fanaticism,andFundamentalism

Radicalizationiscommonlymistakenforfanaticismandfundamentalism.However,thismisconceptionisquitesimplyanunfortunateamalgamationoftwoseparateterms,whichendsupmuddyingourunderstandingofthephenomenoninquestion,leadingustobelievethatradicalizationexistsonlywithinthesphereofreligion.Agreatmanyobservationscontradictthisproposition.Severalextremistrightwing,leftwing,environmentalorethnonationalistgroupsareguidedbypoliticalidealsratherthanreligiousones.

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IsRadicalizationAlwaysViolent?

Byassociatingradicalizationwithfundamentalism,weinferthatradicalizationreferstotraditionalorconservativeideas.However,historyisfullofexamplesofsituationswheresocalledradicals,workingatcrosspurposes,succeededinadvancingsocietybyusingdemocraticandpeacefulmethods.Sinceitispossibletobesimultaneouslyradicalandpeaceful,itisamistaketobelievethatradicalizationandviolencealwaysgohandinhand.

Definition

Radicalizationisaprocesswherebyapersonisinitiatedtoanideologicalmessageandencouragedtoreplacehismoderatebeliefswithextremeopinions.Inthisregard,radicalizationmeansadoptingbeliefsthatmostpeopledonot.Radicalizationitselfisneitherproblematicnorathreattopublicsafety.Onthecontrary,throughouthistoryithasoftenbeenanimportantdriverforpositivesocialchanges.Radicalizationonlybecomesaproblemwhenmarginalizedbeliefsleadtoviolentbehaviourtofurtherapoliticalorreligiouscause.Thisiswhenviolentextremismcomesintoplay.

WhatisRadicalization?

ATypicalProfile

Oneofthemostrecurrentquestionsconcerningradicalizationiswhetherornotcertainindividualsaremoreinclinedthanotherstofallintothehandsofviolentextremism.Ifthisisthecase,isthereaspecificprofile?Aretheredemographiccharacteristicsthatcouldhelpidentifyatriskindividuals?Followingtheexampleofpoliceworkwithstreetgangs,manyresearchershaveattemptedtoanswerthesequestions.Generally,onemayrightlyconcludethatamajorityofyoungmen(1824yearsold)aredrawntoviolentextremism,althoughagrowingnumberofwomenseemtobefollowingsuit.However,overtheyears,ithasbecomeclearthatdemographicprofiling,suchassocioeconomicstatus,ethnicbackground,religiousaffiliationoreducation,isscientificallyunsatisfactory.

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MentalIllness

Thevastmajorityofusfinditdifficulttobelievethatapersoncouldbewillingtodieforacauseandleaveatrailofdeadinnocentsinhiswake.Unsurprisingly,weautomaticallyrefertotheindividualshavingcommittedsuchviolentactsasfanaticsorcrazy.Nonetheless,itisnothingmorethananimproperuseoflanguagethatoversimplifiesacomplexphenomenonratherthananactualobservation.Infact,scientificsupportofthehypothesisthatmentalillnessexplainsviolentextremismisverylimited.

Atonepointoranotherintheirlives,mostpeopleadoptmoreorlessextremebeliefs.Radicalizationisthereforeanormalprocessandeveryoneofushasthepotentialtobecomefullyengagedinacauseclosetoourheart.Theradicalizationprocessbeginswhencertainingredientscometogether.

Debunking

Myths

Concerning

Violent

Extremism

Generally,radicalization(bothviolentand

peaceful)requiresthepresenceofthree

ingredients:1)motivation;2)anideology;

and3)socialnetworks.

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TheIngredientsofRadicalization

Motivation

Fordecadesnow,researchershavebeentryingtodetermineexactlywhatpropelsindividualstobecomeradicalizedandtoresorttoviolence.Inordertoexplainthisphenomenon,awiderangeofpossiblemotivationshavebeendocumented;forexample,honour,vengeance,loyaltytoacharismaticleader,socialinjustice,powerandtheneedtobelong.Thesemotivationsallhaveonecommondenominator:thequestforpersonalsignificance.Thequestforpersonalsignificanceistheuniversalneedtomakeadifference,tobesomeoneandtofindapurpose.Therearetwowaystoactivatethequestforsignificance:1)followingalossofsignificance(actualorpotential),or2)whenthepersonforeseesanopportunityforaconsiderablegainofsignificance(e.g.goingdowninhistoryorbecomingsomesortofhero).Alossofsignificancebringsonseverepsychologicalpainwhereasgainingsignificanceisexpressedwithadeepdesireforadventureandrisktaking.Inbothcases,oncethequestforsignificanceisactivated,apersonwillbegintosearchformeanstofulfillthismotivation.

Ideology

Ideologyisasetofbeliefssharedbyagroup.Clearly,notallideologiespromoteviolence.Infact,certainideologiesarecategoricallypeacefulandprosocial.Therefore,itisnotthemotivationalaspectthatencouragesviolencebutrathertheideologyitselfthatdictateswhatmustbedonetoachievepersonalsignificance.

Unlikepeacefulideologies,thoseleadingtoviolentextremismcombinethreeingredients:

1)agrievance(aninjustice,anoffence)towhichthegroupissubjected(e.g.religious,national,ethnic);2)aculpritpresumedtoberesponsibleforthegrievance(e.g.acountry,anethnicgroup,areligiousgroup);3)amethod,i.e.violentactsaimedattheculprittoeradicatethegrievance.

Thegroupwhoadherestothisideologyperceivesitsviolentactsaseffectiveandmorallyjustifiableinordertoeliminatethegrievance,andthegroupadmiresthosewhocommitsuchacts.Consequently,peoplewhoadoptaviolentideologybelievethatcommittingviolentactswillgivethemasenseofpersonalaccomplishment.

Whenapersonadoptsanideologythatadvocatesviolence,theytendtoadoptabeliefsystemthatdehumanizes(i.e.,belittles)others.Progressively,thepersonsbeliefsbecomemoreextremecausinghimtobecomeincreasinglyintoleranttowardsotherswhodonotsharehispointofview.Thisintransigencemaybringaboutmanyconflictsbetweentheindividualandthoseclosetohimaboutpoliticalorreligiousissues.

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SocialNetworks

Socialnetworksareanimportantfactorrelatedtoradicalization.Theyaremadeupofindividualsorgroupswithwhomthepersonhassocialinteractions(realorvirtual).Socialnetworkshelppromoteideologies(peacefulorviolent)whichtheindividualhasaccesstodirectlywithinhisownenvironment.Theycanalsoinfluencetheindividualsmotivation;forexample,whenthecommunityhasthesamegrievance.

Themoretimetheindividualspendswiththegroup,thehighertheprobabilitythattheindividualwilltakeanactiveroleintheorganizationandcommitviolentacts.Giventhatthemembersofthegroupshareideas,experiencesandasimilarcollectiveidentity,theyareverytightlyknit,somuchsothatitisquitecommonforthegrouptobecomeasurrogatefamilyforitsmembers.Thisexplainswhytheradicalizedindividualtendstoabandonhisfriendsandactivities.

Inthecaseofviolentextremism,researchshowsthatinmorethantwothirdsofcases,individualsjoinedviolentgroupsthroughafamilymember,afriendoramemberoftheirentouragethatwasalreadyassociatedwithagroupadheringtoaviolentideology.Generally,thegroupsareinformalandnotpartofastructuredandfinancedorganization.Thisaffiliationwithothermembersofthegroupusuallyoccursfacetoface;however,thissenseofaffiliationcanalsodevelopthroughsocialmediasuchasYouTube,Twitter,Instagram,Facebook,chatroomsandforums.

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TheRadicalizationProcessRadicalization(leadingtoviolenceornot)does

nothappenovernight;itisaprocess.Sometimes,

ittakesonlyafewmonthsforthepersons

identitytocompletelytransform.Apersonmay

comeacrosstheaforementionedradicalization

ingredientsinadifferentorder.Consequently,itis

importanttomentionthattheradicalization

processisdifferentfromonepersontoanother;

manypathsleadtoradicalization.

Generallyspeaking,radicalizationbeginswithmotivation,namelytheawakeningofthequestforpersonalsignificance.Theindividualwillthenseekoutwaystoachievehisgoal.Inordertofulfillthisquestforsignificance,theindividualtendstojoingroups(e.g.athletic,artistic,political,religious,etc.)thatformpartofhissocialnetwork,becausesuchgroupsallowhimtoshapeapositiveselfimage.Suchgroupshavedifferentideologiesthatdictatewhatmembersmustdoinordertobeavaluedmemberofthegroup.Shouldanindividualjoinagroupwithanideologythatpromotesviolence,herunstheriskofadoptingviolentbehaviour.

DegreesofRadicalization

Radicalizationmaybeexperiencedthroughdifferentdegreesofintensity.Firstly,theindividualmaysimplyagreewiththegroupsideology(passivesupport).Thepersonmaythenbecomeengagedinaseriesofbehavioursthatallowhimtoshowhissupport(activesupport).Forexample,thepersonmayshowhissupportbyparticipatinginafundraisingevent.Atahigherdegreeofintensity,theindividualbecomesdirectlyengagedinordertofurtherhiscause(participation).Inthecaseofviolentextremism,thepersonmaycommitcrimessuchasassaultorharassment.Whenanindividualisradicalizedatthehighestlevel,heisreadytosacrificeeverything,includinghisownlife,todefendhisgroupandhisideology(selfsacrifice).Thestrongerthequestforsignificance,thegreatertheintensityofradicalization.

Withthesupportthathisgroupaffordshim,thepersoninvolvedinviolentextremismmaynotevenbeconsciousofallthenegativeconsequenceshisinvolvementmayentail.Yet,thepersonsacrificesseveralimportantspheresofhislife,suchasfamily,health,educationandcareer.Withthehighlevelofimportancethisindividualgivestotheideologyandtohisgroup,violentextremismbecomesanaturalandcoherentchoice.Consequently,thepersonsimplycannotconceivethat,inCanada,ideologicalviolenceiscounterproductive.

TheInternetisaremarkablecommunicationtool

thatoccupiesahugepartofCanadiansdailylife.

Itisasourceofinformationthatnotonlyallows

ustolearnbuttobeentertainedandtoexchange

ideaswiththerestoftheworld.However,this

virtualuniverseisnotriskfree:socialmedia(e.g.

Facebook,Twitter,YouTube)areconducive

platformsforthebroadcastingofmessages

facilitatingradicalizationleadingtoviolence.

Morespecifically,groupsusethemtopromote

hatredthroughemagazines,videosandeven

videogames.Thesemessagesservetwo

objectives.

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RadicalizationontheInternet

Thefirstobjectiveofviolentgroupsistofacilitateviolence.Forexample,theypostvideosandinstructionmanualsshowingreadershowtobuildweaponsandbombs,andsuggestwaystoharmothers.

Thesecondobjectiveistogetpeopletofeelsympathyfortheircauseandrecruitnewfollowers.Inordertoachievethis,informationontheWebispresentedwithspectacularandattractivevisualstoseducethetargetaudienceandtojustifyandtrivializetheuseofviolence.Groupswhosupportviolenceincreasinglytendtouseinteractivecontent(e.g.chatrooms,forums)inordertocreateasenseofbelongingforpotentialfollowers.Somemessagesmayeventargetspecificsegmentsofthepopulation(e.g.women,aspecificcommunity)inordertospeaktothemdirectlyandtomakethemfeelimportant.

MediaLiteracy

Topreventviolentextremism,itisimperativethatcitizens,andmorespecificallyyouth,developskillsindigitalliteracy,i.e.,theymustdeveloptheiranalyticalskillswhenexposedtocontentpresentedontheInternetinordertobecomeinformedmediaconsumers.Onemustbeabletoidentifythetargetaudienceofaparticularpieceofmedia,torecognizethepointofview,tounearththeintentionandtodeterminethelevelofcredibility.Inthedigitalage,parentsandteacherscanplayaleadingrolewhenitcomestoprovidingeducationonmediaanddevelopingcriticalthinking.CoursesareavailabletoyoungpeoplesothattheymayacquiresuchskillsandbecomeinformedusersoftheWeb(pleaserefertop.19forfurtherinformation).

SocialStigma:FeelingsofHumiliation,

InjusticeandPersonalFailure

Generally,individualswhoareatriskofbeingradicalizedhavehadpsychologicalexperiencesthathavenegativelyimpactedtheirselfesteemandcausethemtodoubttheircapabilities,whichresultsinalossofpersonalsignificance.Torestoretheirpersonalsignificance,theygenerallyturntogroups(political,religious,athletic,etc.).However,violentgroupsaregenerallyperceivedasaneffectivewayofachievingthisgoal.

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Thesimplicityoftheseideologiesallowthemtoeliminateanyandallambiguityandtocategorizeothersaccordingtoseveraldifferentstereotypes(e.g.goodvs.evil,purevs.impure),whichcanleadtothedehumanizationofnonmembersand,eventually,tomemberstoleratingviolenceagainstthem.

ASocialNetworkPromotingViolence

Whetherrealorvirtual,socialnetworksplayaroleintheradicalizationprocess.Moderatesocialnetworkscanhelpindividualsavoidadoptingviolentbeliefsystemsjustaseasilyasthosepromotingviolencecanincreasetheriskofindividualsfallingintoviolentextremism.

CriminalRecords

Forindividualswithapreexistingcriminalrecord,therisksofjoiningadeviantgroupandacceptingaviolentbeliefssystemarefargreater.

Gender:BeingMale

Moreboysthangirlsjoinviolentgroups.Therefore,genderconstitutesamajorriskfactor,despitethefactthatagrowingnumberofwomenarealsojoiningsuchgroups.

Violent

Extremism:

Risk

Factors

IntoleranceinResponsetoAmbiguity

Individualswhoareintoleranttoambiguityorclosemindedareacaptiveaudienceforideologicaldiscourses(politicalorreligious)thatpurposelyneglecttoexplainthenuanceswhenpreachingtheirworldview.

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PersonalProtectiveFactors

ViolentExtremism:ProtectiveFactors

Havingahealthyrelationshipwithareveredadult.Havinghealthyrelationshipswithfamily,teachersandpeers.Belongingtoasocialnetworkthatrefrainsfrompromotingviolence.ParticipatinginextracurricularactivitiesEmployment.

FactorsRelatedtoSocialNetworks

Tolerancetoambiguity,uncertaintyanddoubt.Personalsignificance(selfesteem,meaninginlife).Appropriatemanagementofemotionsandconflicts.WelldevelopedmoraljudgmentEmpathyforothers.Opportunitiestopeacefullydefendacause.

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4)Mediaconsumption:theindividualconsumesalargequantityofmaterialpromotinghatredandviolence.Heagreeswithandpromoteshatemessagesonsocialmedia.WhenheissurfingtheWeb,hedownloads,savesandsharesviolentvideoswithotherswhosharehisideologicalbeliefs.

5)Sacrificeofotherspheresoflife:theindividualspoliticalorreligiouscausebecomesdemanding,allconsuming.Consequently,heabandonsmanyoftheactivitiesthatheusedtopartakein.

6)Takingaction:theindividualcommitsacts(sometimesevenmisdemeanours)inthehopesofprovokingcertainmembersofsocietyor,even,toobtainfinancingforhisgroup.Forexample,theindividualmayvandalizeproperty,shoutoutoffensiveslogansorcommitaforcedentryorholdup.

1)Intolerance:theindividualadoptsabeliefssystemthatclearlyopposesgoodfromevil.Thisvisionoftheworldseparatesthepurefromtheimpure,thebadfromthegoodand,moreoftenthannot,generatesconflictsbetweentheindividualandhisfamilyandfriends.

2)Transformationofthesocialnetwork:theindividualnolongerspendstimewiththesamepeople;henolongerseeshischildhoodfriendsanddistanceshimselffromthoseclosesttohim.Overtime,headoptsverycloseknitrelationshipswithanewgroupoffriendswhosharethesameideology.Theindividualoftenhidesthisnewgroupfromhisparentsandclosefriends.Incertaincases,theindividualjoinsthegroupafterhavingbeenputthroughaninitiation.

3)Ideologicaldiscourse:theindividualexpresseshisconvictionsbydeliveringideologicaldiscourses.Hewilloftenrepeatmemorizedclichs.Hemakesdiscoursesthatglorifyhisowngroup,dehumanizeothersandcondoneviolenceinordertorightagrievance.

Topreventviolentextremism,itiscrucialthatcitizensbecapableofrecognizingbehaviourgenerally

observedinindividualshavingboughtintoaviolentideology.Thebehavioursdescribedbelowaresigns

suggestingthatapersonpromotesviolence;theydonot,however,constitutedefinitiveevidence.Itis

notalistofsymptoms.Asmanypathsleadtoviolentextremism,anindividualmayexhibitsomeor

manyofthefollowingbehaviours:

Signsof

Violent

Extremism

Earth.Shepartakesinahungerstrike,worksinanimalsanctuariesanddistributesinformationleaflets.However,asherdevotiontotheanimaladvocacycauseincreases,sodoesherfrustrationanddespair.Shenoticesthattakingactionseemstohavelittleimpactandshefeelspowerlessandrevoltedbythedamagescausedbyhumans.

Shethereforejoinsanothergroupofecologistswhoseideologyconsistsofprotectinganimals.Gradually,Audreybeginstoparticipateintheiractivities.Shefinallyfeelsusefulandissatisfiedwithbeingabletoactivelyservehercause.Sheeventuallyfallsinlovewithoneoftheleaders.Bothofthembelievethatanyandallmeansareacceptablewhenitcomestoprotectingwildlife.Theyburnandsabotagegovernment,researchandindustrialfacilitiesthat,accordingtothem,violateanimalrights.

Oneday,duringafire,sherealizesthatthesecrimeshavenothelpedhercause.Onthecontrary,theywerecounterproductiveandthementalityofthetargetedorganizationshasnotchangedatall.Shecannolongermakesenseofallhereffortsandfeelsguiltyabouthavingboughtintothegroupsideas.Sheimmediatelydistancesherselffromthegroup.Sheinformsherfamilythatshewillbegoingtoworkasaveterinaryassistanttohelphealandfreetheanimals.Audreyfinallyfeelsthatsheismakingarealdifferenceforacausethatissoclosetoherheart.Herfamilyandfriendsfindheradmirableandcompassionate.Finally,throughouttheentireordeal,Audreyfoundawaytofurtherhercauseandfoundamoralwaytogiveherlifemeaning.

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CaseStudies

Audrey

Asateenager,Audreydoesnothaveaparticularpassionbutdoeshaveanunconditionalloveofanimals.Sherefusestopursueaveterinarydegree,asshebelievestheeducationaltechniquesrequirecrueltytoanimals.Adocumentaryonslaughterhousesreinforcesherconvictionsandshejoinsaprotestmovementagainstcrueltytoanimals.Inuniversity,shebecomesinterestedinseverallocalanimaladvocacygroupsandstartstoparticipateinpeacefuldemonstrations.Oneday,afterattendingaconferenceandhearingaspeech,shedecidestospendafewmonthsinagorillasanctuary.Shereturns,disgustedbythetreatmentofanimals.Shethenjoinsorganizationstoraiseawarenessaboutenvironmentalthreatstothe

Withoutspeakingtohisparents,Samjoinsareligiousassociationinhisneighbourhood.Heattendsseveralgatheringshostedbytheorganizationsleaderandmakesalotoffriends.Asapartofhisreligioustraining,theleaderinvitesSamtoreadseveraltextsavailableontheassociationswebsite.Wantingtodotherightthing,Samfollowstheleadersrecommendationsandconsultsthesuggestedreading.ThesereadingsexposehimtoahatefuldiscoursethatpromptshimtotakehisownlifeinordertoinflictthegreatestpossibledamageandlosstononMuslims.Overtime,hebecomesundertheimpressionthatfightingbythesidesofhisfriendsforhisreligionishisultimateduty.Convinced,hedecidestorallyotheryoungmembersoftheorganizationwhosharehisbeliefs.Samspendssomuchtimewiththeseotheryoungpeoplethatheseesthisgroupashisnewfamily.OneofthemevenleavesCanadatojoinaviolentgroup.

Later,Samfindsoutthathisfriendwhohadgoneoverseashaskilledseveralwomenandchildren,includingMuslims.Samisdeeplyshockedbythenews.Hethenunderstandsthatviolenceisaloselosesituationandaccomplishesnothing.ThistriggersanindepthintrospectionforSam.Hefeelsaloneanddistressed.

Hespeakstohisfatherabouthisworries.HisparentsbringhimtoawellrespectedimaminthehopesofdemystifyingtheKoran.ThisspiritualguidehelpsSamunderstandtheimportanceofputtingeachrecitedversebackintoitsoriginalcontext.TheleaderoftheassociationwithwhomSamspentsometimeonlyquotedtheversesincitingviolenceandpushedhimtoadoptafaultyinterpretationofthereligiousscripture.Samnowshareshisexperienceinhighschoolstopreventotheryoungpeoplefrommakingthesamemistakes.

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CaseStudies

Sam

Samgrowsupinadeeplyreligiousfamily.Hisspiritualconvictionssometimesmakehimfeeldifferentfromhisfriends.Asateenager,Samfeelstheneedtobehavejustliketheotherkidshisage.Hefeelstornbetweenwhathewouldliketobeandwhathishouseholddemandsofhim.Heslowlydistanceshimselffromhisfamilyvalues.Whenhisfamilyfindsoutabouthisshamelessbehaviour,hisparentsexpresstheirstrongdisapproval.Samfeelsguiltyandisashamedofhisactions.Hewantstorighthiswrongs,somuchsothatundertheweightofhisregret,hefeelstheneedtoreverttoreligioninordertoremedythesituation.

followingweeks,heattendsseveralgatherings.Hefindshimselfsurroundedbypeoplewhosharehisvaluesregardingequityforandsupportoftheunderprivileged.Hedevelopsastrongsenseofbelongingtothemovement.

Asthemonthspass,Vincentisundertheimpressionthat,despiteallhisefforts,thevastmajorityofthepopulationremainssadlyignorantwithregardstotheissuesaffectingsociety.Heisdiscouragedandangry:hisgroupsdemandsarefallingondeafears.Heisundertheimpressionthatparticipatinginpeacefuldemonstrationsiscompletelyuseless.Withasmallgroupofactivists,heconcludesthatinorderforsocietytochange,theymustraisetheintensityoftheiractionstothenextlevel.Theythereforedecidetotakeitupanotchanddemonstrateagainsttheestablishmentbyengaginginviolentconfrontationswiththepolice.Afterhavingsuccessfullydefiedlawandordertogether,Vincentandhisfriendsdevelopastrongsenseofcamaraderieandarefeelingreckless.

However,duringyetanotherskirmishwiththepolice,Vincentgetsarrested.Heisinformedthat,untilhistrial,hecannotparticipateinanyoftheorganizationsdemonstrationsorprotests.Inthehopesofpursuinghiscontributiontothecause,Vincentbecomesinvolvedwithasupportgroupcreatedbyandformilitantsofthemovement.Aspartofhisrolewithintheorganization,heofferscounselling.Hecanseethewellbeingheprovidesforothersandrealizesthathiscurrentactionshavemoreofanimpactandarethereforebetterforhiscausethanhispastmethodscouldhaveeverbeen.Hecontinuestoparticipateindemonstrationsand,slowlybutsurely,hisbeliefschange.Herealizesthatviolenceisnothowtoconveyamessage.Vincentisnowattendinguniversityandaimingforhisdegreeinsocialworksothathemaycontinuehelpingothers.

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CaseStudies

Vincent

Vincenthasbeeninterestedinhumanbeingsandphilosophyfromaveryearlyage.Asateenager,heisconstantlylookingintotheeconomic,politicalandecologicalissuesaffectingthecountry.Forhim,supportingsocialprogramsshouldbeapriority;hisfather,however,doesnotsharethisview.Feelinghisfathersstrongdisapproval,Vincentslowlydistanceshimselffromhisfamilyenvironmentandstartslookingforasystemofvaluesthatisclosertohisown.Whiletalkingwithfriends,hedecidesthatcertainpoliticaldecisionsarebadfortheenvironment,educationandsocialequality.Heisrevoltedbywhathesees.Feelingpowerless,Vincentjoinsaninternationalsocialprotestmovement.Inthe

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LeavingofOnesOwnVolition

Thereareseveralreasonsforindividualstodisengageandtoderadicalizeoftheirownvolition.Disillusionmentanddissatisfactionmayariseasareactiontogroupdynamics.Firstly,theindividualmaybedisappointedwiththeleadersdecisions.Hispersonalquestforsignificancethereforeisnolongersatisfied.Theindividualmayalsorealizethatthegroupsactionsareineffectiveorcontradicttheideologythattheyaresupposedtobedefending.Justasapersonsquestforsignificancemaybefulfilledbyprestigeortheapprovalofhispeers,dissatisfactionwithhisstatuswithinthegroupmaycastdoubtonhisbeliefsandbehaviour.

Secondly,thepersonmaygothroughlifechangingexperiencesthatrenderhisparticipationinviolentextremismobsolete.Astablejob,alovingrelationshiporthearrivalofanewbabyaregoodexamplesofreasonsforanindividualtodisengageandderadicalize.Whileinpursuitofdifferentgoals,theindividualdiscoversanewwaytogivemeaningtohislife.

Disengagement&Deradicalization

Apersonwhostopsbelievinginviolencemaynonethelesscontinuetoperpetrateviolentactsifthegroupforceshishand.Inversely,justbecausetheindividualputsanendtotheviolencedoesnotmeanthathenolongerbelievesinsuchmethods.Abandoningviolentextremismrequiresachangeinattitudeandinbehaviour.Itisappropriatetousethetermdisengagementwhenapersonceasestocommitviolentactswhereasthetermderadicalizationreferstowhenthepersonceasestobelieveinviolence.InCanada,havingextremethoughtsisnotacrime.However,itisimperativethatthepersondisengagefromviolenceinordertoensureeveryonessafety.

Inadditiontopromotingcriminalactivities,

beingimmersedinviolentextremismalso

entailsseriousconsequencesforthe

individualsfamily,educationandcareer.Itis

thereforeineveryonesinteresttopreventthis

typeofviolentinvolvement.Theearlierclose

friendsandthecommunity(teachers,social

workers)areabletointervene,theeasieritisto

helpthepersonabandonviolence.Althoughitis

preferabletoactbeforethepersoncommitsa

crime,itisnevertoolatetohelpthemgetout.

Whilethetransitionmayoccurwithoutany

majorproblems,itmayalsorequiretimeand

perseverance.

AbandoningViolentExtremism

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WhatYouCanDoThePerson'sNeeds

HowtoFacilitateDisengagement?

Thereareseveralthingsthatyoucandotohelpsomeonedisengagefromviolentextremism.Tofacilitatethistransition,itisimportanttorecognizehisneedsinordertodeterminehowtofulfillthem.Theindividualsmentors,suchasastudentsresidentassistant,asocialworkeroraspiritualguide,aresometimesinthebestpositiontoactoncertainneeds.Askpeopleyoutrustforhelp.

Astableemotionalenvironmentthatisinnowayassociatedwith

theviolentgroup

Apeacefulwaytoachievehisideals

Analternateworldview

Professionalhelp

Listenandtrytounderstandwhythepersonisinvolvedinviolentextremism;Spendtimewiththeperson;Partakeinrecreationalandsocialactivitiestogether.

Rejecthisdiscoursesandbehaviourallthewhilemakinghimfeelaccepted;Encouragehimtoadoptadiscoursethatisrespectfultowardpeoplewithdifferentbeliefs;Exposehimtodifferentpointsofview.

Helphimfindactivitiesthatpromotehisbeliefsinapeacefulway,suchascommunityorpoliticalactivities;Exposehimtopeacefulideologies.

Seekouttrustworthymembersofyourentourageandaskthemforhelp;CalltheCentredePrventiondelaRadicalisationMenantlaViolence(pleaserefertop.19forfurtherinformation).

Maintainpositiverelationships:

Maintainopenandhonestlinesof

communication:

Findalternateways:

Askforhelp:

Necessarilyassociatedwithviolence;Amentalillness(e.g.beingapsychopath,beingdepressedorlosingtouchwithreality);Associatedwithaspecificprofile(e.g.personalitytype,socioeconomicclass,levelofeducation,ethnicbackground,culture,religion,politicalparty).

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Ariseswhenapersonadherestoanideologythatpromotesviolence;CanbefosteredthroughtheInternetorinperson;Canoccurevenifthepersonisnotnecessarilypartofagroup;Islesslikelytooccuramonginformedmediaconsumers(digitalliteracy);Maybedetectedbythepersonsentouragethankstocertainsigns.

Canoccurincasesofdisillusionmentorfollowinglifechangingexperiences;Canbefacilitatedwiththesupportoffamilyandclosefriends;CanbefacilitatedwiththehelpofprofessionalsattheCentredePrventiondelaRadicalisationMenantlaViolence.

Experiencedinvaryingdegreesbyeveryoneatacertainstageinourlives;Broughtonbyalossofsignificance(e.g.feelingsofhumiliation,feelingsofinjustice);orbythedesiretogainsignificance(e.g.becomingahero,someoneimportant);Leadingtotheadoptionofbeliefssharedbyaonlysmallpartofthepopulation;Fuelledbysocialnetworks(realandvirtual);Thatrespondstopersonal,politicalandsocialquestions(e.g.givingmeaningtolife,restoringasenseofjustice).

Summary

RadicalizationISNOT

ViolentextremismRadicalizationISaphenomenon

Disengagementandderadicalization

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UsefulContacts

CentredePrventiondelaRadicalisationMenantlaViolence(CPRMV)(Centreforthe

PreventionofRadicalizationleadingtoViolence)

Anonprofitorganizationwiththefollowingobjectives:ensuringpreventionofviolentextremismandprovidingsupporttofamiliesdealingwithalovedonethatsupportsviolence.Thecentreoffersprofessionalandpsychosocialcasemanagementbytakingonindividualsandproceedingwiththedeconstructionofideologiesleadingtoviolence.Telephone:5146877141,18776877141.Yourcallisconfidential.

Email:info@cprmv.quebec

MediaSmarts:http://mediasmarts.ca/

ACanadiannotforprofitcharitableorganizationworkingtowarddigitalandmedialiteracy.Itsobjectiveistoensurethatchildrenandteensdevelopcriticalthinkingtousemediaasactiveandinformeddigitalcitizens.

OrdredespsychologuesduQubec:https://www.ordrepsy.qc.ca/en/index.sn

Strugglingwithapsychologicalissuecanhappentoanyone.Itisimportanttoseeapsychologistwhensuchissuesaffectyourwork,familylifeandpersonalwellbeing.TheOrdredespsychologuesduQubeccanhelpyoufindaprofessional.Telephone:5147381223,18005611223

InformationToolkitonViolentExtremism(ITVE)

TodownloadtheITVEinFrench,gotothefollowingwebaddress:trev.uqam.ca

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Glossary

Community:agroupofpeoplewhosharecommoncharacteristicsorinterests,forexample,goals,values,areasofinterest,socialrelationshipsorgeographicallocation.

Deradicalization:aprocessduringwhichapersonnolongerbelievesthatviolenceisjustifiedinthefurtheranceofapoliticalorreligiousideology.Oncederadicalized,apersonmaynonethelesscontinuecommittingviolentactswhensubjectedtopressurebythegroup.

Disengagement:thestateofapersonwhonolongercommitsviolentactsandnolongerpromotesviolenceforpoliticalorreligiouspurposes.Oncedisengaged,apersonmaynonethelesscontinuebelievingthatviolenceisjustified.

Ethnonationalism:theideathatanationisfoundedonethnicity,language,religionandtraditions.

Violentextremism:asetofbehavioursandbeliefsthatpromoteandjustifyresortingtoviolence(includingthreats)inordertoachieveapoliticalorreligiousgoal.Violentextremismisgenerallymotivatedbythelossofpersonalsignificance(attachedtoagrievanceorcomplaint)ortheappealofagainofsignificance(e.g.tobecomeahero).

Ideology:asetofideasorbeliefsthatinfluenceonesgoals,expectationsandbehavioursaswellasonesunderstandingofeventsandfacts.

Motivation:somethingthattriggersthedesiretopartakeinanactivityortoachieveagoal.Itpushesustowardobjectivesbyprovidinguswithacertainlevelofenergyorstrengthtopersevereuntilsuchobjectivesaremet.

Radicalization:aprocessduringwhichapersonisinitiatedtoanideologicalmessageandisencouragedtoreplacehismoderateandgenerallyacceptedbeliefsbyextremeopinions.

Socialnetworks:individualsorgroups(friends,family,colleagues,teammates,etc.)whoareinvolvedinapersonslife,includingthoseontheInternet.

Resilience:societysabilitytorejectviolentideologies,toreportthosewhopromotesuchideologiesandtorefusetosuccumbtofearandtothethreatsmadebyviolentgroups.Itisalsoitsabilitytoquicklyrecoverfromviolentactsagainstitsmembers.

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Conclusion

Violentextremismisasocialissueforwhichwecanfindsolutions.Withcollectiveunderstandingandawareness,itispossibletobuildacommunityresilienttoviolentextremism.Aresilientcommunityisacommunitywhorejectsviolentideologiesand

refusestosuccumbtofear.Itisalsoacommunitywhererespectingeveryonesdifferencesiscommonplace.Together,wecanunderstandtheemergenceofthis

phenomenoninordertointerveneearlyonandheadoffviolence.

T H E P R O C E S S O FR A D I C A L I Z A T I O N

INDIVIDUALSSEARCH FORWAYS OFFULFILLINGTHEIRSIGNIFICANCE

QUEST BYJOININGGROUPS INTHEIR SOCIALNETWORKS.

GROUPS HAVEEITHER

VIOLENT ORNON VIOLENT

IDEOLOGIESTHAT PROMISESIGNIFICANCE

IF ONEFOLLOWS

THEIRDICTATES

AS THE QUEST FORSIGNIFICANCE

BECOMESSTRONGER, PEOPLE

MAKE GREATERPERSONAL

SACRIFICES TODEFEND THEIR

IDEOLOGICALGROUP.

AT THE LOWESTLEVEL, INDIVIDUALS

PASSIVELY SUPPORT

THEIR GROUP.

AT THE HIGHESTLEVEL, INDIVIDUALS

ARE WILLING TOSACRIFICE THEIR

LIVES FOR IT.

motivation

search for means

PASSIVE SUPPORT

PARTICIPATION

ACTIVE SUPPORT

SELF SACRIFICE