Context and Objectives
Tertiary PVE programs, i.e., those that aim to “deradicalize” individuals, disengage them from extremist groups, and reintegrate them into society, have been the focus of scholars in the last two decades. However, in 2010, Horgan and Braddock concluded that a) no systematic effort had been made to analyze such programs or initiatives; b) there were no explicit criteria for what was considered a successful outcome; and c) despite the widely publicized success of these programs by certain governments, little data existed that could independently corroborate this success.
This means that available information regarding the effectiveness of tertiary prevention programs remains to be a matter of informed opinion rather than clear empirical evidence. As with primary and secondary PVE programs, this is problematic because the implementation of prevention programs, without adequate knowledge about their potential outcomes and impact, may ultimately be counterproductive, stigmatizing, and lead to greater harms than benefits.
To address this knowledge gap, CPN-PREV conducted a systematic review of the literature on the effectiveness of tertiary PVE programs. The goals of our review were as follows:
To describe the outcomes of tertiary PVE programs in terms of reducing the risk of violent extremism;
To identify specific program modalities associated with a higher chance of success or failure for the targeted populations; and
To formulate recommendations for practitioners, researchers, and policymakers involved in tertiary PVE initiatives.
References:
Horgan, J., & Braddock, K. (2010). Rehabilitating the terrorists?: Challenges in assessing the effectiveness of de-radicalization programs. Terrorism and Political Violence, 22(2), 267–291. https://doi.org/10.1080/09546551003594748
