“
The radicalization of a young person doesn’t only bring about destruction in their own life: it changes the reality of their entire family. And, as we saw in 2017, it can change the history of a nation.
to prevent involvement with terrorism and other illegal activities. The government has also invested in a rehabilitation program called Prevent, as part of a larger strategy to battle terrorism. The project offers psychological help, support with employment and education, ideological mentoring and counselling. Between 2015 and 2017, 7,631 people went through Prevent, with about 2,000 of them being under the age of 15. Among those in that age range, 532 were girls. Another 2,100 were between 15 and 20 years of age, and another 1,200 were aged 21 to 30. As part of their prevention strategy, the government has made radicalization a highly important issue in schools, colleges and universities, where professors and
educators are warned to be on high alert, watching for signs of extremism. In the midst of this, what is our role as parents and educators? If we live in the United Kingdom, this issue is also our responsibility. Our sons and daughters will be exposed to different ideologies every day – and bear in mind, radicalization does not come only from Islamic extremist groups, who mostly target British Muslims. Statistics show a considerable number of British people are converting to I slam. The number of people recruited by other extremist groups is also on the rise – far-right extremists are a worrying example, whose radical ideology targets Muslim, LGBT and Jewish communities. As parents and educators, it is 51
”
necessary for us to understand radicalization, so that we can protect our children when they are at their most vulnerable. Observing what our children consume on social media, paying attention to changes in their behaviour and looking out for new radical rhetoric that makes no room for reasonable argument are a few things we can do, according to resources on childlike.org.uk. The website also offers a helpline operated by trained professionals who can clarify issues of concern or respond to alarming situations. The radicalization of a young person doesn’t only bring about destruction in their own life: it changes the reality of their entire family. And, as we saw in 2017, it can change the history of a nation. www.adrianachiarimagazine.net