Building a Resilient

Community within a
Multicultural
Canada

ITVE

INFORMATION
TOOLKIT ON
VIOLENT
EXTREMISM

Together, Forward.

TermsofUse
Thisinformationtoolkitiscopyrightedmaterial.Itmaybedownloaded,printed,used,
circulatedanddistributedfornoncommercialpurposes,freeofchargeandwithout
priorauthorisation,providedthatthesourceisacknowledged.Usehereoffor
commercialpurposesisstrictlyprohibitedandallchangestothecontentmustbe
authorizedinwritingbyJocelynBlanger,Ph.D.
Pleasequotethisdocumentasfollows
Blanger,J.J.,Nociti,N.,Chamberland,P.E.,Paquette,V.,Gagnon,D.,Mahmoud,
A.,Carla,L.,LopesM.,Eising,C.(2015).BuildingaResilientCommunitywithina
MulticulturalCanada:InformationToolkitonViolentExtremism.UniversitduQubec
Montral.
Liability
Thistoolkitwascreatedforinformationalpurposesonlyandtheauthorsshallnotbe
heldliablefortheuseofinformationprovidedherein.
GraphicDesign&Infographics
AnastasiaLambrou
CopyrightBlanger,J.J.,UniversitduQubecMontral,2015.Allrights
reserved.
*Inthisdocument,themasculinegenderisusedasagenericandappliestobothmen
andwomen.

TableofContents
Introduction.................................................................................................................................................... 2
Whatisradicalization?................................................................................................................................... 4

Debunkingmythsconcerningviolentextremism.......................................................................................... 5
Theingredientsofradicalization................................................................................................................... 6
Theradicalizationprocess........................................................................................................................... 8
Radicalizationontheinternet..................................................................................................................... 9
Violentextremism:riskfactors.................................................................................................................... 10
Violentextremism:protectivefactors.......................................................................................................... 11
Signsofviolentextremism........................................................................................................................... 12
Casestudies................................................................................................................................................ 13
Abandoningviolentextremism.................................................................................................................... 16
HowtoFacilitateDisengagement?.............................................................................................................. 17
Summary..................................................................................................................................................... 18
Usefulcontacts........................................................................................................................................... 19
Glossary...................................................................................................................................................... 20
Conclusion................................................................................................................................................... 21
Appendix...................................................................................................................................................... 22

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Introduction

Nowmorethaneverbefore,politicalviolenceisdrawingtheattentionofCanadiansandtheinternational
community.Intheaftermathofthe911,preventingsuchatrocitieshasbeenattheforefrontofCanadas
NationalDefenseagenda.However,thereisnothingtosuggestthatviolentextremismiswindingdown.
Overthepastfouryears,wehavewitnessedanupsurgeofpoliticallyorreligiouslymotivatedactsof
violence;notablytheassassinationattemptontheformerPremierofQuebecinSeptember2012,the
attackscarriedoutonOttawasParliamentandtheStJeanSurRichelieumilitarybaseinOctober2014,
nottomentiontheBostonMarathonbombingsinApril2013,andthemultipleshootingsinParisin
JanuaryandNovember2015.Thisescalationofviolence,bothinfrequencyandintensity,compelspre
emptiveinterventiononallfronts.
Whetheralonewolforamemberofaviolent
organisation,itisshockingtoseethatthe
perpetratorsareoftencitizensofthecountrythey
attack.Overthepastfewyears,over130
Canadianshavetraveledabroadtojointheranks
ofextremistorganisations.Someofthemwill
eventuallyreturntoCanada.Thisbringstothe
forethequestionofradicalizationandhowit
leadstoviolentextremism.Specifically,whatare
thepsychologicalandsocialfactorsthatpush
menandwomentoembraceideologiesthat
distancethemfromtheircommunityandcompel
themtouseviolencetofurthertheircause?

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Understandingthephenomenonofradicalisation
isaprerequisitetopreventviolentattacks,but
alsotoreintegratethosewhohavefallenunder
theinfluenceofviolentgroups,whotargetand
exploityouthsvulnerabilityinsearchofpersonal
significance.Buthowcanweaccomplishthis
feat?InthisInformationToolkitonViolent
Extremism(ITVE),wewilllearnthatindividuals
candisengagefromviolenceforthesame
reasonstheyembracedit;anarrayof
constructiveandeffectivemethodsarepresented
tohelpthemachieveselffulfillment.

Whocanbenefitfromthisinformationtoolkit?
Thisinformationtoolkitisintendedformembersofthepublicwithquestionsaboutradicalizationandthebest
waytohelppeopleclosetothemwhohaveembarkedinsuchaprocess.Thisdocumentismorespecifically
intendedforparentsandteacherswhoarewellpositionedtolookforbehaviouralsignsandtakepositive
actionwhendealingwithyoungpeople.
BuildingaCommunityResilienttoViolentExtremism
TheInformationToolkitonViolentExtremism(ITVE)ispartofapreventioninitiativeanditsmainobjectiveis
tobuildaresilientcommunity,i.e.,acommunitythatisawareofthesituationandwellequippedtoquash
emergingpoliticalviolence,acommunitythatiscapableof:
1)helpingitsmembersrejectviolentideologies;2)reportingthosewhopromotesuchideologies;3)refusing
tosuccumbtothefeartheseviolentgroupsattempttoinstil;
4)flourishingbyrespectingeveryonesdifferences;
5)helpingitsmemberstofindpeacefulwaysofencouragingsustainablesocialchange.
Thisapproachaimstodemystifyanddefineradicalization.Simplyput,itisaquestionofidentifyingthe
componentsthatcontributetoitsemergenceaswellasthesignsthereof,understandingthedegreesofpersonal
involvementinanideologythatpromotesviolence,andexplainingthefactorsthatcontributetoradicalizationas
wellasthosethatcontributetoderadicalization.SeveralcasestudiesofCanadiansarepresentedhereininorder
toillustratesaidphenomena.

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WhatisRadicalization?
DistinguishingRadicalization,Fanaticism,andFundamentalism
Radicalizationiscommonlymistakenforfanaticismandfundamentalism.However,thismisconceptionisquite
simplyanunfortunateamalgamationoftwoseparateterms,whichendsupmuddyingourunderstandingofthe
phenomenoninquestion,leadingustobelievethatradicalizationexistsonlywithinthesphereofreligion.A
greatmanyobservationscontradictthisproposition.Severalextremistrightwing,leftwing,environmentalor
ethnonationalistgroupsareguidedbypoliticalidealsratherthanreligiousones.

IsRadicalizationAlwaysViolent?
Byassociatingradicalizationwithfundamentalism,weinferthatradicalizationreferstotraditionalor
conservativeideas.However,historyisfullofexamplesofsituationswheresocalledradicals,workingat
crosspurposes,succeededinadvancingsocietybyusingdemocraticandpeacefulmethods.Sinceitis
possibletobesimultaneouslyradicalandpeaceful,itisamistaketobelievethatradicalizationandviolence
alwaysgohandinhand.
Definition
Radicalizationisaprocesswherebyapersonisinitiatedtoanideologicalmessageandencouragedto
replacehismoderatebeliefswithextremeopinions.Inthisregard,radicalizationmeansadoptingbeliefs
thatmostpeopledonot.Radicalizationitselfisneitherproblematicnorathreattopublicsafety.Onthe
contrary,throughouthistoryithasoftenbeenanimportantdriverforpositivesocialchanges.
Radicalizationonlybecomesaproblemwhenmarginalizedbeliefsleadtoviolentbehaviourtofurthera
politicalorreligiouscause.Thisiswhenviolentextremismcomesintoplay.

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Debunking
Myths
Concerning
Violent
Extremism
ATypicalProfile
Oneofthemostrecurrentquestionsconcerningradicalizationiswhetherornotcertainindividualsaremore
inclinedthanotherstofallintothehandsofviolentextremism.Ifthisisthecase,isthereaspecificprofile?
Aretheredemographiccharacteristicsthatcouldhelpidentifyatriskindividuals?Followingtheexampleof
policeworkwithstreetgangs,manyresearchershaveattemptedtoanswerthesequestions.Generally,one
mayrightlyconcludethatamajorityofyoungmen(1824yearsold)aredrawntoviolentextremism,
althoughagrowingnumberofwomenseemtobefollowingsuit.However,overtheyears,ithasbecome
clearthatdemographicprofiling,suchassocioeconomicstatus,ethnicbackground,religiousaffiliationor
education,isscientificallyunsatisfactory.
MentalIllness
Thevastmajorityofusfinditdifficulttobelievethatapersoncouldbewillingtodieforacauseandleavea
trailofdeadinnocentsinhiswake.Unsurprisingly,weautomaticallyrefertotheindividualshavingcommitted
suchviolentactsasfanaticsorcrazy.Nonetheless,itisnothingmorethananimproperuseoflanguage
thatoversimplifiesacomplexphenomenonratherthananactualobservation.Infact,scientificsupportofthe
hypothesisthatmentalillnessexplainsviolentextremismisverylimited.
Atonepointoranotherintheirlives,mostpeopleadoptmoreorlessextremebeliefs.Radicalizationis
thereforeanormalprocessandeveryoneofushasthepotentialtobecomefullyengagedinacauseclose
toourheart.Theradicalizationprocessbeginswhencertainingredientscometogether.

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TheIngredientsofRadicalization
Ideology
Ideologyisasetofbeliefssharedbyagroup.
Clearly,notallideologiespromoteviolence.In
fact,certainideologiesarecategoricallypeaceful
andprosocial.Therefore,itisnotthemotivational
aspectthatencouragesviolencebutratherthe
ideologyitselfthatdictateswhatmustbedoneto
achievepersonalsignificance.

Unlikepeacefulideologies,thoseleadingto
violentextremismcombinethreeingredients:
Generally,radicalization(bothviolentand
peaceful)requiresthepresenceofthree
ingredients:1)motivation;2)anideology;
and3)socialnetworks.

1)agrievance(aninjustice,anoffence)towhich
thegroupissubjected(e.g.religious,national,
ethnic);
2)aculpritpresumedtoberesponsibleforthe
grievance(e.g.acountry,anethnicgroup,a
religiousgroup);
3)amethod,i.e.violentactsaimedattheculprit
toeradicatethegrievance.

Motivation
Fordecadesnow,researchershavebeentrying
todetermineexactlywhatpropelsindividualsto
becomeradicalizedandtoresorttoviolence.In
ordertoexplainthisphenomenon,awiderange
ofpossiblemotivationshavebeendocumented;
forexample,honour,vengeance,loyaltytoa
charismaticleader,socialinjustice,powerandthe
needtobelong.Thesemotivationsallhaveone
commondenominator:thequestforpersonal
significance.Thequestforpersonalsignificance
istheuniversalneedtomakeadifference,tobe
someoneandtofindapurpose.Therearetwo
waystoactivatethequestforsignificance:1)
followingalossofsignificance(actualor
potential),or2)whenthepersonforeseesan
opportunityforaconsiderablegainofsignificance
(e.g.goingdowninhistoryorbecomingsome
sortofhero).Alossofsignificancebringson
severepsychologicalpainwhereasgaining
significanceisexpressedwithadeepdesirefor
adventureandrisktaking.Inbothcases,once
thequestforsignificanceisactivated,aperson
willbegintosearchformeanstofulfillthis
motivation.

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Thegroupwhoadherestothisideology
perceivesitsviolentactsaseffectiveand
morallyjustifiableinordertoeliminatethe
grievance,andthegroupadmiresthosewho
commitsuchacts.Consequently,peoplewho
adoptaviolentideologybelievethatcommitting
violentactswillgivethemasenseofpersonal
accomplishment.
Whenapersonadoptsanideologythat
advocatesviolence,theytendtoadoptabelief
systemthatdehumanizes(i.e.,belittles)others.
Progressively,thepersonsbeliefsbecomemore
extremecausinghimtobecomeincreasingly
intoleranttowardsotherswhodonotsharehis
pointofview.Thisintransigencemaybringabout
manyconflictsbetweentheindividualandthose
closetohimaboutpoliticalorreligiousissues.

SocialNetworks
Socialnetworksareanimportantfactorrelatedto
radicalization.Theyaremadeupofindividualsor
groupswithwhomthepersonhassocial
interactions(realorvirtual).Socialnetworkshelp
promoteideologies(peacefulorviolent)whichthe
individualhasaccesstodirectlywithinhisown
environment.Theycanalsoinfluencethe
individualsmotivation;forexample,whenthe
communityhasthesamegrievance.

Inthecaseofviolentextremism,researchshows
thatinmorethantwothirdsofcases,individuals
joinedviolentgroupsthroughafamilymember,a
friendoramemberoftheirentouragethatwas
alreadyassociatedwithagroupadheringtoa
violentideology.Generally,thegroupsare
informalandnotpartofastructuredandfinanced
organization.Thisaffiliationwithothermembers
ofthegroupusuallyoccursfacetoface;however,
thissenseofaffiliationcanalsodevelopthrough
socialmediasuchasYouTube,Twitter,
Instagram,Facebook,chatroomsandforums.

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Themoretimetheindividualspendswiththe
group,thehighertheprobabilitythatthe
individualwilltakeanactiveroleinthe
organizationandcommitviolentacts.Giventhat
themembersofthegroupshareideas,
experiencesandasimilarcollectiveidentity,they
areverytightlyknit,somuchsothatitisquite
commonforthegrouptobecomeasurrogate
familyforitsmembers.Thisexplainswhythe
radicalizedindividualtendstoabandonhisfriends
andactivities.

TheRadicalizationProcess
Radicalization(leadingtoviolenceornot)does
nothappenovernight;itisaprocess.Sometimes,
ittakesonlyafewmonthsforthepersons
identitytocompletelytransform.Apersonmay
comeacrosstheaforementionedradicalization
ingredientsinadifferentorder.Consequently,itis
importanttomentionthattheradicalization
processisdifferentfromonepersontoanother;
manypathsleadtoradicalization.

Generallyspeaking,radicalizationbeginswith
motivation,namelytheawakeningofthequestfor
personalsignificance.Theindividualwillthenseekout
waystoachievehisgoal.Inordertofulfillthisquestfor
significance,theindividualtendstojoingroups(e.g.
athletic,artistic,political,religious,etc.)thatformpart
ofhissocialnetwork,becausesuchgroupsallowhim
toshapeapositiveselfimage.Suchgroupshave
differentideologiesthatdictatewhatmembersmustdo
inordertobeavaluedmemberofthegroup.Should
anindividualjoinagroupwithanideologythat
promotesviolence,herunstheriskofadoptingviolent
behaviour.

DegreesofRadicalization
Radicalizationmaybeexperiencedthroughdifferent
degreesofintensity.Firstly,theindividualmaysimply
agreewiththegroupsideology(passivesupport).The
personmaythenbecomeengagedinaseriesof
behavioursthatallowhimtoshowhissupport(active
support).Forexample,thepersonmayshowhis
supportbyparticipatinginafundraisingevent.Ata
higherdegreeofintensity,theindividualbecomes
directlyengagedinordertofurtherhiscause
(participation).Inthecaseofviolentextremism,the
personmaycommitcrimessuchasassaultor
harassment.Whenanindividualisradicalizedatthe
highestlevel,heisreadytosacrificeeverything,
includinghisownlife,todefendhisgroupandhis
ideology(selfsacrifice).Thestrongerthequestfor
significance,thegreatertheintensityofradicalization.

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Withthesupportthathisgroupaffordshim,the
personinvolvedinviolentextremismmaynot
evenbeconsciousofallthenegative
consequenceshisinvolvementmayentail.Yet,
thepersonsacrificesseveralimportantspheres
ofhislife,suchasfamily,health,educationand
career.Withthehighlevelofimportancethis
individualgivestotheideologyandtohisgroup,
violentextremismbecomesanaturaland
coherentchoice.Consequently,theperson
simplycannotconceivethat,inCanada,
ideologicalviolenceiscounterproductive.

RadicalizationontheInternet
Thesecondobjectiveistogetpeopletofeel
sympathyfortheircauseandrecruitnew
followers.Inordertoachievethis,informationon
theWebispresentedwithspectacularand
attractivevisualstoseducethetargetaudience
andtojustifyandtrivializetheuseofviolence.
Groupswhosupportviolenceincreasinglytendto
useinteractivecontent(e.g.chatrooms,forums)
inordertocreateasenseofbelongingfor
potentialfollowers.Somemessagesmayeven
targetspecificsegmentsofthepopulation(e.g.
women,aspecificcommunity)inordertospeak
tothemdirectlyandtomakethemfeelimportant.

MediaLiteracy
Topreventviolentextremism,itisimperativethat
citizens,andmorespecificallyyouth,develop
skillsindigitalliteracy,i.e.,theymustdevelop
theiranalyticalskillswhenexposedtocontent
presentedontheInternetinordertobecome
informedmediaconsumers.Onemustbeableto
identifythetargetaudienceofaparticularpieceof
media,torecognizethepointofview,tounearth
theintentionandtodeterminethelevelof
credibility.Inthedigitalage,parentsandteachers
canplayaleadingrolewhenitcomestoproviding
educationonmediaanddevelopingcritical
thinking.Coursesareavailabletoyoungpeople
sothattheymayacquiresuchskillsandbecome
informedusersoftheWeb(pleasereferto
p.19forfurtherinformation).

TheInternetisaremarkablecommunicationtool
thatoccupiesahugepartofCanadiansdailylife.
Itisasourceofinformationthatnotonlyallows
ustolearnbuttobeentertainedandtoexchange
ideaswiththerestoftheworld.However,this
virtualuniverseisnotriskfree:socialmedia(e.g.
Facebook,Twitter,YouTube)areconducive
platformsforthebroadcastingofmessages
facilitatingradicalizationleadingtoviolence.
Morespecifically,groupsusethemtopromote
hatredthroughemagazines,videosandeven
videogames.Thesemessagesservetwo
objectives.
Thefirstobjectiveofviolentgroupsistofacilitate
violence.Forexample,theypostvideosand
instructionmanualsshowingreadershowtobuild
weaponsandbombs,andsuggestwaystoharm
others.

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Violent
Extremism:
Risk
Factors

Thesimplicityoftheseideologiesallowthemto
eliminateanyandallambiguityandtocategorize
othersaccordingtoseveraldifferentstereotypes
(e.g.goodvs.evil,purevs.impure),whichcan
leadtothedehumanizationofnonmembersand,
eventually,tomemberstoleratingviolence
againstthem.

Gender:BeingMale
Moreboysthangirlsjoinviolentgroups.
Therefore,genderconstitutesamajorriskfactor,
despitethefactthatagrowingnumberofwomen
arealsojoiningsuchgroups.
SocialStigma:FeelingsofHumiliation,
InjusticeandPersonalFailure

ASocialNetworkPromotingViolence
Whetherrealorvirtual,socialnetworksplayarole
intheradicalizationprocess.Moderatesocial
networkscanhelpindividualsavoidadopting
violentbeliefsystemsjustaseasilyasthose
promotingviolencecanincreasetheriskof
individualsfallingintoviolentextremism.

Generally,individualswhoareatriskofbeing
radicalizedhavehadpsychologicalexperiences
thathavenegativelyimpactedtheirselfesteem
andcausethemtodoubttheircapabilities,which
resultsinalossofpersonalsignificance.To
restoretheirpersonalsignificance,theygenerally
turntogroups(political,religious,athletic,etc.).
However,violentgroupsaregenerallyperceived
asaneffectivewayofachievingthisgoal.

CriminalRecords
Forindividualswithapreexistingcriminalrecord,
therisksofjoiningadeviantgroupandaccepting
aviolentbeliefssystemarefargreater.

IntoleranceinResponsetoAmbiguity
Individualswhoareintoleranttoambiguityor
closemindedareacaptiveaudiencefor
ideologicaldiscourses(politicalorreligious)that
purposelyneglecttoexplainthenuanceswhen
preachingtheirworldview.

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ViolentExtremism:ProtectiveFactors
PersonalProtectiveFactors
Tolerancetoambiguity,uncertaintyanddoubt.
Personalsignificance(selfesteem,meaningin
life).
Appropriatemanagementofemotionsand
conflicts.
Welldevelopedmoraljudgment
Empathyforothers.
Opportunitiestopeacefullydefendacause.

FactorsRelatedtoSocialNetworks
Havingahealthyrelationshipwitharevered
adult.
Havinghealthyrelationshipswithfamily,
teachersandpeers.
Belongingtoasocialnetworkthatrefrains
frompromotingviolence.
Participatinginextracurricularactivities
Employment.

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Signsof
Violent
Extremism

Topreventviolentextremism,itiscrucialthatcitizensbecapableofrecognizingbehaviourgenerally
observedinindividualshavingboughtintoaviolentideology.Thebehavioursdescribedbelowaresigns
suggestingthatapersonpromotesviolence;theydonot,however,constitutedefinitiveevidence.Itis
notalistofsymptoms.Asmanypathsleadtoviolentextremism,anindividualmayexhibitsomeor
manyofthefollowingbehaviours:
4)Mediaconsumption:theindividualconsumes
alargequantityofmaterialpromotinghatredand
violence.Heagreeswithandpromoteshate
messagesonsocialmedia.Whenheissurfing
theWeb,hedownloads,savesandsharesviolent
videoswithotherswhosharehisideological
beliefs.

1)Intolerance:theindividualadoptsabeliefs
systemthatclearlyopposesgoodfromevil.This
visionoftheworldseparatesthepurefromthe
impure,thebadfromthegoodand,moreoften
thannot,generatesconflictsbetweenthe
individualandhisfamilyandfriends.
2)Transformationofthesocialnetwork:the
individualnolongerspendstimewiththesame
people;henolongerseeshischildhoodfriends
anddistanceshimselffromthoseclosesttohim.
Overtime,headoptsverycloseknitrelationships
withanewgroupoffriendswhosharethesame
ideology.Theindividualoftenhidesthisnew
groupfromhisparentsandclosefriends.In
certaincases,theindividualjoinsthegroupafter
havingbeenputthroughaninitiation.

5)Sacrificeofotherspheresoflife:the
individualspoliticalorreligiouscausebecomes
demanding,allconsuming.Consequently,he
abandonsmanyoftheactivitiesthatheusedto
partakein.
6)Takingaction:theindividualcommitsacts
(sometimesevenmisdemeanours)inthehopes
ofprovokingcertainmembersofsocietyor,even,
toobtainfinancingforhisgroup.Forexample,the
individualmayvandalizeproperty,shoutout
offensiveslogansorcommitaforcedentryor
holdup.

3)Ideologicaldiscourse:theindividual
expresseshisconvictionsbydelivering
ideologicaldiscourses.Hewilloftenrepeat
memorizedclichs.Hemakesdiscoursesthat
glorifyhisowngroup,dehumanizeothersand
condoneviolenceinordertorightagrievance.

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CaseStudies

Asateenager,Audreydoesnothaveaparticular
passionbutdoeshaveanunconditionalloveof
animals.Sherefusestopursueaveterinary
degree,asshebelievestheeducational
techniquesrequirecrueltytoanimals.A
documentaryonslaughterhousesreinforcesher
convictionsandshejoinsaprotestmovement
againstcrueltytoanimals.Inuniversity,she
becomesinterestedinseverallocalanimal
advocacygroupsandstartstoparticipatein
peacefuldemonstrations.Oneday,afterattending
aconferenceandhearingaspeech,shedecides
tospendafewmonthsinagorillasanctuary.She
returns,disgustedbythetreatmentof
animals.Shethenjoinsorganizationstoraise
awarenessaboutenvironmentalthreatstothe
Earth.Shepartakesinahungerstrike,worksinanimalsanctuariesanddistributesinformationleaflets.
However,asherdevotiontotheanimaladvocacycauseincreases,sodoesherfrustrationanddespair.
Shenoticesthattakingactionseemstohavelittleimpactandshefeelspowerlessandrevoltedbythe
damagescausedbyhumans.

Audrey

Shethereforejoinsanothergroupofecologistswhoseideologyconsistsofprotectinganimals.Gradually,
Audreybeginstoparticipateintheiractivities.Shefinallyfeelsusefulandissatisfiedwithbeingableto
activelyservehercause.Sheeventuallyfallsinlovewithoneoftheleaders.Bothofthembelievethat
anyandallmeansareacceptablewhenitcomestoprotectingwildlife.Theyburnandsabotage
government,researchandindustrialfacilitiesthat,accordingtothem,violateanimalrights.
Oneday,duringafire,sherealizesthatthesecrimeshavenothelpedhercause.Onthecontrary,they
werecounterproductiveandthementalityofthetargetedorganizationshasnotchangedatall.Shecan
nolongermakesenseofallhereffortsandfeelsguiltyabouthavingboughtintothegroupsideas.She
immediatelydistancesherselffromthegroup.Sheinformsherfamilythatshewillbegoingtoworkasa
veterinaryassistanttohelphealandfreetheanimals.Audreyfinallyfeelsthatsheismakingareal
differenceforacausethatissoclosetoherheart.Herfamilyandfriendsfindheradmirableand
compassionate.Finally,throughouttheentireordeal,Audreyfoundawaytofurtherhercauseandfound
amoralwaytogiveherlifemeaning.

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CaseStudies

Samgrowsupinadeeplyreligiousfamily.His
spiritualconvictionssometimesmakehimfeel
differentfromhisfriends.Asateenager,Sam
feelstheneedtobehavejustliketheotherkids
hisage.Hefeelstornbetweenwhathewouldlike
tobeandwhathishouseholddemandsofhim.
Heslowlydistanceshimselffromhisfamily
values.Whenhisfamilyfindsoutabouthis
shamelessbehaviour,hisparentsexpresstheir
strongdisapproval.Samfeelsguiltyandis
ashamedofhisactions.Hewantstorighthis
wrongs,somuchsothatundertheweightofhis
regret,hefeelstheneedtoreverttoreligionin
ordertoremedythesituation.

Sam

Withoutspeakingtohisparents,Samjoinsareligiousassociationinhisneighbourhood.Heattends

severalgatheringshostedbytheorganizationsleaderandmakesalotoffriends.Asapartofhis
religioustraining,theleaderinvitesSamtoreadseveraltextsavailableontheassociationswebsite.
Wantingtodotherightthing,Samfollowstheleadersrecommendationsandconsultsthesuggested
reading.Thesereadingsexposehimtoahatefuldiscoursethatpromptshimtotakehisownlifeinorder
toinflictthegreatestpossibledamageandlosstononMuslims.Overtime,hebecomesunderthe
impressionthatfightingbythesidesofhisfriendsforhisreligionishisultimateduty.Convinced,he
decidestorallyotheryoungmembersoftheorganizationwhosharehisbeliefs.Samspendssomuch
timewiththeseotheryoungpeoplethatheseesthisgroupashisnewfamily.Oneofthemevenleaves
Canadatojoinaviolentgroup.
Later,Samfindsoutthathisfriendwhohadgoneoverseashaskilledseveralwomenandchildren,
includingMuslims.Samisdeeplyshockedbythenews.Hethenunderstandsthatviolenceisaloselose
situationandaccomplishesnothing.ThistriggersanindepthintrospectionforSam.Hefeelsaloneand
distressed.
Hespeakstohisfatherabouthisworries.Hisparentsbringhimtoawellrespectedimaminthehopesof
demystifyingtheKoran.ThisspiritualguidehelpsSamunderstandtheimportanceofputtingeachrecited
versebackintoitsoriginalcontext.TheleaderoftheassociationwithwhomSamspentsometimeonly
quotedtheversesincitingviolenceandpushedhimtoadoptafaultyinterpretationofthereligious
scripture.Samnowshareshisexperienceinhighschoolstopreventotheryoungpeoplefrommakingthe
samemistakes.

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14

CaseStudies

Vincenthasbeeninterestedinhumanbeingsand
philosophyfromaveryearlyage.Asateenager,
heisconstantlylookingintotheeconomic,
politicalandecologicalissuesaffectingthe
country.Forhim,supportingsocialprograms
shouldbeapriority;hisfather,however,doesnot
sharethisview.Feelinghisfathersstrong
disapproval,Vincentslowlydistanceshimself
fromhisfamilyenvironmentandstartslookingfor
asystemofvaluesthatisclosertohisown.While
talkingwithfriends,hedecidesthatcertain
politicaldecisionsarebadfortheenvironment,
educationandsocialequality.Heisrevoltedby
whathesees.Feelingpowerless,Vincentjoinsan
internationalsocialprotestmovement.Inthe
followingweeks,heattendsseveralgatherings.Hefindshimselfsurroundedbypeoplewhosharehis
valuesregardingequityforandsupportoftheunderprivileged.Hedevelopsastrongsenseofbelonging
tothemovement.

Vincent

Asthemonthspass,Vincentisundertheimpressionthat,despiteallhisefforts,thevastmajorityofthe
populationremainssadlyignorantwithregardstotheissuesaffectingsociety.Heisdiscouragedand
angry:hisgroupsdemandsarefallingondeafears.Heisundertheimpressionthatparticipatingin
peacefuldemonstrationsiscompletelyuseless.Withasmallgroupofactivists,heconcludesthatinorder
forsocietytochange,theymustraisetheintensityoftheiractionstothenextlevel.Theythereforedecide
totakeitupanotchanddemonstrateagainsttheestablishmentbyengaginginviolentconfrontationswith
thepolice.Afterhavingsuccessfullydefiedlawandordertogether,Vincentandhisfriendsdevelopa
strongsenseofcamaraderieandarefeelingreckless.
However,duringyetanotherskirmishwiththepolice,Vincentgetsarrested.Heisinformedthat,untilhis
trial,hecannotparticipateinanyoftheorganizationsdemonstrationsorprotests.Inthehopesof
pursuinghiscontributiontothecause,Vincentbecomesinvolvedwithasupportgroupcreatedbyandfor
militantsofthemovement.Aspartofhisrolewithintheorganization,heofferscounselling.Hecansee
thewellbeingheprovidesforothersandrealizesthathiscurrentactionshavemoreofanimpactandare
thereforebetterforhiscausethanhispastmethodscouldhaveeverbeen.Hecontinuestoparticipatein
demonstrationsand,slowlybutsurely,hisbeliefschange.Herealizesthatviolenceisnothowtoconvey
amessage.Vincentisnowattendinguniversityandaimingforhisdegreeinsocialworksothathemay
continuehelpingothers.

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AbandoningViolentExtremism

Inadditiontopromotingcriminalactivities,
beingimmersedinviolentextremismalso
entailsseriousconsequencesforthe
individualsfamily,educationandcareer.Itis
thereforeineveryonesinteresttopreventthis
typeofviolentinvolvement.Theearlierclose
friendsandthecommunity(teachers,social
workers)areabletointervene,theeasieritisto
helpthepersonabandonviolence.Althoughitis
preferabletoactbeforethepersoncommitsa
crime,itisnevertoolatetohelpthemgetout.
Whilethetransitionmayoccurwithoutany
majorproblems,itmayalsorequiretimeand
perseverance.

LeavingofOnesOwnVolition
Thereareseveralreasonsforindividualsto
disengageandtoderadicalizeoftheirown
volition.Disillusionmentanddissatisfactionmay
ariseasareactiontogroupdynamics.Firstly,the
individualmaybedisappointedwiththeleaders
decisions.Hispersonalquestforsignificance
thereforeisnolongersatisfied.Theindividualmay
alsorealizethatthegroupsactionsareineffective
orcontradicttheideologythattheyaresupposed
tobedefending.Justasapersonsquestfor
significancemaybefulfilledbyprestigeorthe
approvalofhispeers,dissatisfactionwithhis
statuswithinthegroupmaycastdoubtonhis
beliefsandbehaviour.

Disengagement&Deradicalization
Apersonwhostopsbelievinginviolencemay
nonethelesscontinuetoperpetrateviolentactsif
thegroupforceshishand.Inversely,justbecause
theindividualputsanendtotheviolencedoes
notmeanthathenolongerbelievesinsuch
methods.Abandoningviolentextremismrequires
achangeinattitudeandinbehaviour.Itis
appropriatetousethetermdisengagementwhen
apersonceasestocommitviolentactswhereas
thetermderadicalizationreferstowhenthe
personceasestobelieveinviolence.InCanada,
havingextremethoughtsisnotacrime.However,
itisimperativethatthepersondisengagefrom
violenceinordertoensureeveryonessafety.

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Secondly,thepersonmaygothroughlife
changingexperiencesthatrenderhisparticipation
inviolentextremismobsolete.Astablejob,a
lovingrelationshiporthearrivalofanewbabyare
goodexamplesofreasonsforanindividualto
disengageandderadicalize.Whileinpursuitof
differentgoals,theindividualdiscoversanewway
togivemeaningtohislife.

16

HowtoFacilitateDisengagement?
Thereareseveralthingsthatyoucando
tohelpsomeonedisengagefromviolent
extremism.Tofacilitatethistransition,itis
importanttorecognizehisneedsinorder
todeterminehowtofulfillthem.The
individualsmentors,suchasastudents
residentassistant,asocialworkerora
spiritualguide,aresometimesinthebest
positiontoactoncertainneeds.Ask
peopleyoutrustforhelp.

ThePerson'sNeeds

WhatYouCanDo

Astableemotionalenvironment
thatisinnowayassociatedwith
theviolentgroup

Maintainpositiverelationships:
Listenandtrytounderstandwhythepersonis
involvedinviolentextremism;
Spendtimewiththeperson;
Partakeinrecreationalandsocialactivitiestogether.

Analternateworldview

Maintainopenandhonestlinesof
communication:
Rejecthisdiscoursesandbehaviourallthewhile
makinghimfeelaccepted;
Encouragehimtoadoptadiscoursethatisrespectful
towardpeoplewithdifferentbeliefs;
Exposehimtodifferentpointsofview.

Apeacefulwaytoachieve
hisideals

Professionalhelp

Findalternateways:
Helphimfindactivitiesthatpromotehisbeliefs
inapeacefulway,suchascommunityor
politicalactivities;
Exposehimtopeacefulideologies.
Askforhelp:
Seekouttrustworthymembersofyour
entourageandaskthemforhelp;
CalltheCentredePrventiondela
RadicalisationMenantlaViolence(please
refertop.19forfurtherinformation).

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Summary

RadicalizationISaphenomenon
Experiencedinvaryingdegreesbyeveryone
atacertainstageinourlives;
Broughtonbyalossofsignificance(e.g.
feelingsofhumiliation,feelingsofinjustice);or
bythedesiretogainsignificance(e.g.
becomingahero,someoneimportant);
Leadingtotheadoptionofbeliefssharedbya
onlysmallpartofthepopulation;
Fuelledbysocialnetworks(realandvirtual);
Thatrespondstopersonal,politicalandsocial
questions(e.g.givingmeaningtolife,restoring
asenseofjustice).

Violentextremism
Ariseswhenapersonadherestoanideologythat
promotesviolence;
CanbefosteredthroughtheInternetorinperson;
Canoccurevenifthepersonisnotnecessarily
partofagroup;
Islesslikelytooccuramonginformedmedia
consumers(digitalliteracy);
Maybedetectedbythepersonsentouragethanks
tocertainsigns.

Disengagementandderadicalization
Canoccurincasesofdisillusionmentorfollowing
lifechangingexperiences;
Canbefacilitatedwiththesupportoffamilyand
closefriends;
Canbefacilitatedwiththehelpofprofessionalsat
theCentredePrventiondelaRadicalisation
MenantlaViolence.

RadicalizationISNOT
Necessarilyassociatedwithviolence;
Amentalillness(e.g.beingapsychopath,
beingdepressedorlosingtouchwithreality);
Associatedwithaspecificprofile(e.g.
personalitytype,socioeconomicclass,levelof
education,ethnicbackground,culture,religion,
politicalparty).

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UsefulContacts
CentredePrventiondelaRadicalisationMenantlaViolence(CPRMV)(Centreforthe
PreventionofRadicalizationleadingtoViolence)
Anonprofitorganizationwiththefollowingobjectives:ensuringpreventionofviolentextremismand
providingsupporttofamiliesdealingwithalovedonethatsupportsviolence.Thecentreoffers
professionalandpsychosocialcasemanagementbytakingonindividualsandproceedingwiththe
deconstructionofideologiesleadingtoviolence.
Telephone:5146877141,18776877141.Yourcallisconfidential.
Email:info@cprmv.quebec

MediaSmarts:http://mediasmarts.ca/
ACanadiannotforprofitcharitableorganizationworkingtowarddigitalandmedialiteracy.Itsobjective
istoensurethatchildrenandteensdevelopcriticalthinkingtousemediaasactiveandinformeddigital
citizens.

OrdredespsychologuesduQubec:https://www.ordrepsy.qc.ca/en/index.sn
Strugglingwithapsychologicalissuecanhappentoanyone.Itisimportanttoseeapsychologistwhen
suchissuesaffectyourwork,familylifeandpersonalwellbeing.TheOrdredespsychologuesdu
Qubeccanhelpyoufindaprofessional.
Telephone:5147381223,18005611223

InformationToolkitonViolentExtremism(ITVE)
TodownloadtheITVEinFrench,gotothefollowingwebaddress:trev.uqam.ca

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Glossary
Community:agroupofpeoplewhosharecommoncharacteristicsorinterests,forexample,
goals,values,areasofinterest,socialrelationshipsorgeographicallocation.
Deradicalization:aprocessduringwhichapersonnolongerbelievesthatviolenceisjustified
inthefurtheranceofapoliticalorreligiousideology.Oncederadicalized,apersonmay
nonethelesscontinuecommittingviolentactswhensubjectedtopressurebythegroup.
Disengagement:thestateofapersonwhonolongercommitsviolentactsandnolonger
promotesviolenceforpoliticalorreligiouspurposes.Oncedisengaged,apersonmay
nonethelesscontinuebelievingthatviolenceisjustified.
Ethnonationalism:theideathatanationisfoundedonethnicity,language,religionand
traditions.
Violentextremism:asetofbehavioursandbeliefsthatpromoteandjustifyresortingto
violence(includingthreats)inordertoachieveapoliticalorreligiousgoal.Violentextremismis
generallymotivatedbythelossofpersonalsignificance(attachedtoagrievanceorcomplaint)
ortheappealofagainofsignificance(e.g.tobecomeahero).
Ideology:asetofideasorbeliefsthatinfluenceonesgoals,expectationsandbehavioursas
wellasonesunderstandingofeventsandfacts.
Motivation:somethingthattriggersthedesiretopartakeinanactivityortoachieveagoal.It
pushesustowardobjectivesbyprovidinguswithacertainlevelofenergyorstrengthto
persevereuntilsuchobjectivesaremet.
Radicalization:aprocessduringwhichapersonisinitiatedtoanideologicalmessageandis
encouragedtoreplacehismoderateandgenerallyacceptedbeliefsbyextremeopinions.
Socialnetworks:individualsorgroups(friends,family,colleagues,teammates,etc.)whoare
involvedinapersonslife,includingthoseontheInternet.
Resilience:societysabilitytorejectviolentideologies,toreportthosewhopromotesuch
ideologiesandtorefusetosuccumbtofearandtothethreatsmadebyviolentgroups.Itis
alsoitsabilitytoquicklyrecoverfromviolentactsagainstitsmembers.

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Conclusion
Violentextremismisasocialissueforwhichwecanfindsolutions.Withcollective
understandingandawareness,itispossibletobuildacommunityresilienttoviolent
extremism.Aresilientcommunityisacommunitywhorejectsviolentideologiesand
refusestosuccumbtofear.Itisalsoacommunitywhererespectingeveryones
differencesiscommonplace.Together,wecanunderstandtheemergenceofthis
phenomenoninordertointerveneearlyonandheadoffviolence.

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THE PROCESS OF
RADICALIZATION
AS THE QUEST FOR
SIGNIFICANCE
BECOMES
STRONGER, PEOPLE
MAKE GREATER
PERSONAL
SACRIFICES TO
DEFEND THEIR
IDEOLOGICAL
GROUP.

SELF SACRIFICE

AT THE LOWEST
LEVEL, INDIVIDUALS
PASSIVELY SUPPORT
THEIR GROUP.

PARTICIPATION

AT THE HIGHEST
LEVEL, INDIVIDUALS
ARE WILLING TO
SACRIFICE THEIR
LIVES FOR IT.

ACTIVE SUPPORT

PASSIVE SUPPORT

INDIVIDUALS
SEARCH FOR
WAYS OF
FULFILLING
THEIR
SIGNIFICANCE
QUEST BY
JOINING
GROUPS IN
THEIR SOCIAL
NETWORKS.

GROUPS HAVE
EITHER
VIOLENT OR
NON VIOLENT
IDEOLOGIES
THAT PROMISE
SIGNIFICANCE
IF ONE
FOLLOWS
THEIR
DICTATES

search for means

motivation