Promoting Disengagement from Violent Extremism

Abstract

Most people who join radical or extreme groups leave at some stage. In the landscape of violent extremism and radicalisation, the exit phenomenon is not well understood, though it seems there are common elements in the experience of those who leave different types of closed and/or radical groups. In the context of political terrorism, there is an urgent need to better comprehend the factors and processes involved in leaving extreme groups and reintegrating with the wider community. For example, just how easy or hard is it to leave voluntarily? What can be done to minimise further radicalisation if a person is extracted forcibly from a group? What factors promote or hinder reintegration? Issues of identity, belonging and purpose are prevalent in the personal accounts of most ex-members of politically extreme groups. The basic argument of this paper is that social identity mechanisms implicated in radicalisation may also constitute a significant and essential component of disengagement, deradicalisation and reintegration – both as a cause and as a consequence. Prevention policies and disengagement interventions can only be successful if we understand how and why people leaving violent and extreme groups.