While the detection, assessment, and reporting of various forms of radicalization and extremist violence were initially led by security and intelligence services, many governments are putting increased pressure on practitioners from the education, community and health and social services to “detect” and report individuals vulnerable to violent radicalized.
Scientific evidence, however, increasingly demonstrates the failure and dangers associated with the detection approach. Deleterious effects on individuals and communities include the high rate of false positives (false accusations) and ensuing stigmatizing, the feeling of ostracism by targeted communities, as well as the chilling effect related to the atmosphere of surveillance and denunciation in previously trusted settings such as schools, health institutions, and community spaces.
In the coming year, CPN-PREV will provide a full critical appraisal of the state of evidence on the reliability, validity, sensitivity, and outcomes of detection and assessment tools and procedures for individuals at risk of radicalization and extremist violence.
CPN-PREV will then highlight WHAT NOT TO DO, as well as generate evidence-based recommendations on WHAT TO DO for adequate evaluation of individuals at risk.
