Ingrijpen bij radicalisering - De mogelijkheden van de eerstelijnswerker

Background : Since 9/11, the Madrid and London bombings, and the murder of Theo van Gogh in the Netherlands there is a growing need for knowledge on the countering of radicalisation and terrorism. This study explores a selection of interventions that focus on preventing and halting radicalisation processes. In this study we collect, structure and analyse local interventions that can be carried out by the so-called first line workers (e.g. teachers, police, youth workers).
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Objective : The objective of this study is to gain insight in and to structure local interventions that;
• are described in Dutch literature,
• can be carried out by first line workers,
• are developed to prevent or halt the radicalisation of Muslims and (extreme) rights.
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Procedure : In this study interventions directed to prevent or halt radicalisation processes are identified using a literature study. A cluster analysis is used to cluster the assembled interventions. In two focus groups with experts, necessary requirements to carry out each of these clusters of interventions were discussed. Finally, in an online questionnaire for first line workers, the perception of effectiveness of these clusters is collected and analyzed.
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Results : This research has produced fifteen clusters of preventive, curative and repressive interventions that are directed to preventing and halting radicalisation of Muslims and the (extreme) right. Besides a description of each of these clusters of interventions, we also produced an overview of necessary requirements for the implementation of these interventions. Finally, we provide an overview of the perceived effectiveness of each of the clusters of interventions.
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Conclusions : In this study we found that there are more interventions that are directed at preventing or halting radicalisation of Muslims than at preventing or halting radicalisation of the (extreme) right. Furthermore, in comparison to curative and repressive interventions we found a larger number of preventive interventions. Also, the use of the structure: preventive, curative and repressive is not the best structure for the classification of interventions, because some of the interventions can be grouped in two or more categories. A better distinction seems to be an arrangement of individual-directed versus group-directed interventions.
First line workers seem to be very positive about the effectiveness of the clusters of interventions. The focus group experts did not always share this opinion. Relevant general requirements for the execution of interventions are specific characteristics and skills for first line workers, matching a first line worker with a potential (group of) radical(s), the degree of cooperation between first line workers and the reachableness and availability of first line workers. While developing national and local policy it is essential that these requirements are taken into account while aiming for the optimal application of the available intervention methods.