The Signs and Factors of Vulnerability

People can be radicalised in lots of different ways.

AGE

They may be any age group, including children.

INFLUENCES

They may be influenced by family members or friends, direct contact with extremist groups and organisations or, increasingly, through the Internet and social media.

PEOPLE WHO ARE VULNERABLE

People who are vulnerable or at risk in other ways may also be vulnerable to radicalisation.

BEING VULNERABLE

Being ‘vulnerable' doesn’t turn someone into a terrorist – most people have some sort of vulnerability in their lives.

MANY VULNERABLILITIES

But when lots of vulnerabilities come together, it may be easier for a radical group to target the person and influence them.

OFFERING FRIENDSHIP

Some terrorist organisations have particularly targeted people who appear to be vulnerable, pretending to offer them friendship.

Some factors that may cause vulnerability

People who are vulnerable in other ways may also be vulnerable to radicalisation. Here are some factors that may cause vulnerability.

Personal, Mental and life issues.

Mental health factors

Mental illness or autism spectrum disorders
Learning difficulties
Personality problems
Low self-esteem

Difficult life experiences

Isolation, loneliness,or victims of bullying
Family upheaval or adverse childhood experiences
Feeling excluded from mainstream society because of unemployment, poverty or racism
Fleeing from world conflict zones
Immigration, migration and distance from cultural heritage
Feeling aggrieved because of lack of opportunity or being let down by others or by society
History of offending or time spent in care or prison
Drug and alcohol misuse

Who you know and who you meet

Spending time in a setting where there are other people with extreme views
Contact with gangs, criminal groups
Exposure to propaganda and online extremist messaging
Peer pressure from others who are radicalised themselves
Being targeted by groups or individuals who recognise vulnerability

External Influences

Events or issues in this country or elsewhere, which lead the individual to feel alienated from all or part of mainstream society, such as:

War or sanctions which harm a country or group with which the individual has ties or allegiances
National policies which support an objective or group to which the individual is strongly opposed
Dominance of groups or ideologies which oppress or disempower other groups within society
An increasing trend of extremist violence which may normalise this as a means of achieving political ends

Criminality

People who are already involved in violent crime or who have already turned their back on the law may have less personal resistance to being drawn into political or ideological violence than people who are normally law-abiding.

People who are caught up in the criminal justice system are much more likely than others to have contact with people who hold violent and extremist views; many people are radicalised in prison.

Some terrorist organisations have particularly targeted people who appear to be vulnerable, or lonely pretending to offer them friendship and a sense of belonging. For those who have been bullied or marginalised this can be a very powerful incentive to support extremist ideologies.

What Factors Might Make Individuals at Risk of Exploitation?

It is important that judgement is applied in determining the significance of any unusual changes in behaviour. On their own, these factors may appear insignificant, but taken in context with other factors, may be a sign of something more concerning. Where you have concerns you should raise these in accordance with your organisation’s policies and procedures.

Case Studies

Please click the links

Oliver

Darryl

Identifying Vulnerable People

How do we know if someone is being targeted by extremists?

We very rarely know ‘for sure’. Most of the signs that may indicate that someone may be at risk to radicalisation also occur in people who are not becoming radicalised – particularly in young people who are looking for a sense of identity. meaning and belonging.

But if several signs are present, or if any sign is present in an exaggerated way, there may be reason to worry.

Online Safety

The use of social media to attract and groom individuals by radicalisers is ever increasing.

Radicalisers are creative in their thinking and approach using many forms of social media, including some of the mainstream ones shown in the diagram.

Often conversations begin on open social media sites and then move onto private messaging, posting or internet chatrooms. This allows for more hidden ways of communication and could potentially make investigations and access to evidence more problematic.

Radicalisers may also use exciting Gaming Apps or Gaming sites to engage with and to appeal to young people.

Some people show signs that they are beginning to associate with extremist ideas by changes in their online profiles, including their profile image or name or by using encrypted apps to communicate.

Signs an Individual is being Groomed

Have a look at the signs that an individual may be being groomed into radicalisation, bearing in mind that there is no single profile.

A change in behaviour

They may become withdrawn and stop participating in their usual activities
They may go missing from their home, school or care setting
They may possess or be searching for extremist literature online, or be secretive about their internet interests, e.g. switching screens when you come near their phone or computer
They may become more aggressive and fixated with certain ideas or political views
They may use unusual or scripted speech (e.g. based on words spoken by hate preachers on the internet)

A change in views and interests

Developing a conviction that their religion, culture or beliefs are under threat and treated unjustly
A tendency to look for conspiracy theories and distrust of mainstream media
Using language that supports ‘us and them’ thinking
Getting preoccupied with feelings of hatred or anger about particular mainstream or minority groups
Loss of interest in previous activities or friends
Adopted by new friendship groups

A change in appearance

Changing dress or style to accord with a new group or ideology
Possession of materials and literature, tattoos or symbols associated with an extremist cause (e.g. the Nazi swastika for far-right groups)

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