Interventions in three phases
Once the necessary knowledge and skills have been developed and the corresponding network identified, it may be necessary to target certain interventions to counter (further) radicalisation, extremism and terrorism. The three phases of the local approach are:
- prevention;
- a person-centred approach;
- detention and reintegration.
Prevention
Preventive interventions within the local approach focus specifically on strengthening the resilience and resistance of susceptible individuals in susceptible environments in relation to radicalisation. Susceptible individuals can be reached in different ways, ranging from an approach aimed at the general public to an individual tailor-made approach, for example through training courses to increase the (online) resilience of groups and individuals. A major concern when targeting susceptible groups is the potentially stigmatising effect this can have.
The aim of prevention in the context of the local approach is to take knowledge of the specific type of threat as a basis for projects for that specific target group. These projects focus on strengthening protective factors. It is important to evaluate and research the effectiveness of interventions.
Protective factors contribute to resilience to phenomena that threaten social stability, including radicalisation and extremism, and focus on strengthening positive factors. Protective factors can be strengthened at different levels, for example at the individual level (in the form of critical thinking, self-confidence, psychological health, etc.), at the levels of the family, school, friendships and (online) networks or at the level of the broader social context (place of residence, experience of social inclusion). Although different interventions can be used at each level, it is particularly important that the interventions are cohesive.
Person-centred approach
The person-centred approach to radicalisation (PGA) is the collective term for the phase of all interventions by chain partners to prevent a specific person from becoming (additionally) radicalised, or to enable this person to become reintegrated. It focuses on individuals who may pose a (violent) threat. Upon receiving relevant information, the assessment team, consisting of the municipality, the police and the Public Prosecution Service, decide whether the case should be included in the PGA on the basis of criteria set out in the Bill on Data Processing in the context of the person-centred approach to radicalisation and terrorist activities (referred to below as the PGA Act).
This law allows chain partners to share information with the municipality, police and the Public Prosecution Service under certain circumstances. It also describes the role of core partners in the PGA.
Multidisciplinary case consultations
An important part of the PGA is the case consultation. It is an opportunity for partners to bring the information together in order to coordinate interventions on the basis of an integrated picture. In each case, careful and methodical consideration must be given to which interventions strengthen protective factors and which can mitigate risks. The Radicalisation and Extremism case consultation working model may be a helpful tool when doing so. An integrated plan of action can be jointly developed in this way, with interventions being periodically reviewed and adjusted where necessary.
Depending on the content of the case, interventions can be enforced and/or voluntary. Legal interventions and/or measures are possible in instances in which concrete threat information is available, for example in the form of an official report from the General Intelligence and Security Service (AIVD), or whenever a criminal offence is likely to be committed, or public order is at risk. Often, however, the indicators are not so specific, and the focus of the local approach is precisely on identifying and intervening as early as possible in the radicalisation process in order to prevent terrorist crimes and violence. Consequently, criminal or administrative law interventions are usually not yet necessary in such cases and there is more of an emphasis on care. The interventions are then voluntary and relate, for example, to education, employment, disengagement from problematic networks and housing.
Detention and Reintegration
This phase focuses on countering the threat from radicalised (former) detainees through safe and controlled reintegration.
The Custodial Institutions Agency (DJI), the municipalities and the Dutch Probation Service (RN) work together to enable offenders with a terrorist or extremist background to return safely to society. The aim is to mitigate the risks of an extremist network and propensity for violence. In the Multidisciplinary Social Rehabilitation Coordination Group (MAR) with the DJI, the municipality and the Dutch Probation Service, chain partners work together on an individual social rehabilitation plan that can be started during detention.
This phase is almost identical to the PGA phase in terms of method, objectives, partners and interventions and involves judicial interventions being carried out under the supervision of Dutch Probation Service.