In an era where global security threats are ever evolving, the rehabilitation of those who participate in violent extremism is a critical and complex challenge. Current methods focus heavily on managing and controlling the risks an individual is perceived to pose. However, these approaches frequently fail to address the underlying personal and social factors that inform pathways into violent extremism. In contrast, person-centered, trauma-informed approaches seek to understand these root causes and foster rehabilitation through holistic, practical and psycho-social support. This paradigm shift, championed by experts like Sarah Marsden, promises a more effective and humane solution to a problem that affects global peace and security.
Sarah Marsden, a Senior Lecturer and Director of the Centre for the Study of Terrorism and Political Violence in the School of International Relations, is developing a groundbreaking approach to the rehabilitation of those involved in violent extremism, placing a holistic, person-centred understanding at its core. Her research encompasses the study of extremist groups and violent politics and approaches them from an interdisciplinary perspective, reflecting her extensive academic background in Philosophy, Psychology and International Relations.
Strength-Based Approaches
Marsden’s research challenges traditional punitive measures and risk-based approaches by advocating for a strength-based approach. Instead of asking ‘what’s wrong with you’, strength-based approaches ask ‘what happened to you’ and what would help you to move away from extremism. Unlike conventional methods that view individuals as “bundles of risk” and focus on mitigating perceived threats, Marsden’s method seeks to understand and address the personal and social circumstances that shape pathways into extremism. This innovative approach humanises the rehabilitation process, emphasising the need to understand why violence became the perceived solution to the problems they were facing. This demands an empathetic approach to the individual in order to understand what may help support positive outcomes. “My work has tried to really foreground an understanding of the needs involvement in extremism meets, and the kinds of barriers that get in the way of fulfilling those needs, and then to advocate building strengths, rather than just managing risks, so the person is better enable to meet their needs in positive rather than harmful ways” Marsden explains.
Shifting the emphasis from the current risk-based to a more strength-based model of rehabilitation helps because it focuses on the positive attributes and potential of individuals rather than their deficits and risks. Strength-based approaches empower individuals by identifying and building upon their existing skills and resources, fostering resilience and self-efficacy. This method has been shown to improve long-term outcomes by promoting a sense of autonomy and self-worth, which are crucial for sustainable recovery and reintegration.
Trauma-Informed Care
Trauma-informed care is a framework for providing services grounded in an understanding of the short, medium long-term, and sometimes intergenerational impact trauma can have on individuals and communities. It is a natural partner of strength-based approaches. In a rehabilitation setting, trauma-informed care is particularly beneficial as it helps build a supportive environment where individuals feel safe and understood, promoting better engagement and outcomes. Studies show that trauma can significantly affect long-term health and behavior, making it crucial to address trauma for effective rehabilitation.
Recognising the significant role of trauma in the lives of individuals involved in violent extremism, Marsden integrates trauma-informed care into her rehabilitation model. This involves understanding and addressing various forms of trauma, including PTSD, developmental trauma, and adverse childhood experiences, to create safe spaces for healing and growth. “We’ve been doing work from a trauma-informed perspective…recognising not only the prevalence rates of trauma, which are high in these populations, but also that those who are working with them need to be trauma-informed,” Marsden emphasises. This approach ensures that rehabilitation efforts do not inadvertently retraumatise individuals but instead support their healing and reintegration.
Collaboration and Implementation
Marsden’s research is not confined to theoretical frameworks; it involves active collaboration with practitioners, including probation officers, civil society organizations, and security agencies. This collaboration ensures that the models developed are practical, implementable, and effective in real-world settings. Marsden’s final goal is to see her strength and trauma-informed model adopted globally. Her work has already garnered interest from various governments and organisations, including Public Safety Canada and Scottish authorities, who are keen to understand how these innovative approaches might be incorporated into their rehabilitation programs.
The person-centric, strength-based, and trauma-informed approach to the rehabilitation of those involved in violent extremism represents a significant shift from traditional methods. By prioritising understanding, healing, and personal development, Marsden’s work offers a more humane and potentially more effective path to reducing violent extremism and supporting the reintegration of individuals into society. This pioneering research holds promise for transforming rehabilitation practices globally, fostering safer and more compassionate communities.