RadicalizationU.K. counter-radicalization mentoring program proves successful

Published 6 February 2015

In 2006, the U.K. Home Office launched the Channelprogram to engage vulnerable youths with mentors who could steer them away from extremist propaganda, be it anti-immigrant politics or Islamist militancy. Only eighty young adults were referred to the program during its first two years, but last year, 1,281 were referred. To date, a total of 3,934 people have been referred to participate in Channel. About 20 percent of them were considered to require further consultation with mentors.

In 2006, the U.K. Home Office launched the Channel program to engage vulnerable youths with mentors who could steer them away from extremist propaganda, be it anti-immigrant politics or Islamist militancy. Only eighty young adults were referred to the program during its first two years, but last year, 1,281 were referred. To date, a total of 3,934 people have been referred to participate in Channel. About 20 percent of them were considered to require further consultation with mentors.

Referrals can come from a range of sources including community leaders, law enforcement, teachers, and even parents. Cases are then reviewed by a panel set up by local authorities and chaired by law enforcement officials who decide whether legal action or mentoring is needed.

The Guardian reports that Channel is part of the British government’s wider counterterrorism effort, which includes preventing extremist groups from spreading their message.

Sulaimaan Samuel, one of Channel’s mentors, warns that vulnerable young adults should not be viewed as potential terrorists, but as people from difficult personal circumstances and a limited worldview.

“Once upon a time people viewed extremism as 100 percent criminal, with the people involved criminals — basically, the police chasing bad guys. There are those people out there, trying to recruit people into this way of thinking, but there are also victims, ordinary citizens who get caught up in the online PR hype, and were swayed by the arguments.”

Channel is meant to interfere with vulnerable youths before a crime, such as joining a terror group, occurs. A significant portion of the program’s work involve youths contemplating joining a terror group because of the war in Syria. Samuel recounts the case of a mentee who, motivated by images of suffering in Syria, wanted to send money to rebel fighters. The young man, after enrolling in Channel, donated the money to humanitarian charities. “These are people who have been seduced by the messaging. It’s very strong, very passionate. It appears to come from a place of concern. And for these people there are no other voices – it’s them against us and we must stick together,” Samuel explains.

Another Channel mentor, who asked to not be identified, explained that sometimes, the troubled youths who enroll in Channel just need to find ways of contributing constructively in society. “What we find is that often between the ages of 14 and 18 the person has come across peer pressure or an extremist group, but then they’ve realized they need to get on to university or get a job. Once they’ve shown they’ve committed to that then it’s deemed they are no longer a risk. In other cases the NHS (National Health Service) will take over if they’ve got deeper emotional or psychological issues that need to be addressed.”