It is important to understand that recruitment to violent extremist groups or adoption of their ideas, happens in different ways at different stages. How people join and why they join such groups, or become violent, varies from case to case. There are those who are recruited face to face via a charismatic individual, some who self-radicalise alone, whilst others are recruited through membership of gangs or even online targeting, using grooming, intimidation and peer pressure. This is why protecting and safeguarding needs to look at all factors.
Consider the three case studies that follow.
Case Study 1: Nigel was a founding member of the Far Right terrorist group Combat 18
Case Study 2: Sammy went to IS territory in Syria in his summer holidays
Case Study 3: A young woman’s religious conversion was hijacked by ISIS recruiters (running time: 8 mins 17 seconds)
Reflection
- Think about the push and pull factors explored earlier. Identify vulnerabilities and the kinds of techniques used to draw the individuals into violent extremism.
- What kind of intervention could have been made, and at what point?
- From your professional perspective, what preventative measures might you engage in?