Extremism and Radicalisation Risk Assessment

Description

Extremism and Radicalisation Risk Assessment

Radicalisation is defined as the process by which people come to support terrorism and extremism and, in some cases, to then participate in terrorist groups.

“Extremism is vocal or active opposition to fundamental British values, including democracy, the rule of law, individual liberty and mutual respect and tolerance of different faiths and beliefs. We also include in our definition of extremism calls for the death of members of our armed forces, whether in this country or overseas” (HM Government Prevent Strategy 2011)

Since the publication of the Prevent Strategy, there has been an awareness of the specific need to safeguard children, young people and families from violent extremism. There have been attempts to radicalise vulnerable children and young people to hold extreme views, including views justifying political, religious, sexist or racist violence, or to steer them into a rigid and narrow ideology that is intolerant of diversity and leaves them vulnerable to future radicalisation.

Keeping children safe from these risks falls under safeguarding and is approached in the same way as safeguarding children from other risks. Children should be protected from messages of all violent extremism, including, but not restricted to, those linked to extreme Islamist ideology, or to Far Right / Neo Nazi / White Supremacist ideology, Irish Nationalist and Loyalist paramilitary groups, and extremist Animal Rights movements.

Prevent, in the context of counter-terrorism, is intervention before any criminal offence has been committed with the aim of preventing individuals or groups from committing crimes.

This risk assessment will help ensure you have covered the requirements to safeguard your children and young people and put in place any measures needed for their protection.