Violent extremism

Exposure to, or involvement with, groups or individuals who condone violence as a means to a political end is a particular risk for some children. Children and young people can be drawn into violence themselves or they can be exposed to messages if a family member is involved in an extremist group.

Experience suggests that young people from their teenage years onwards can be particularly vulnerable to getting involved with radical groups through direct contact with members or, increasingly, through the internet. This can put a young person at risk of being drawn into criminal activity and has the potential to cause significant harm.

The cross-Government strategy to stop people becoming terrorists or supporting violent extremism is known as 'prevent'. One of prevent's primary objectives is to support individuals who are vulnerable to recruitment or have already been recruited by violent extremists.

This information has been taken from Working Together to Safeguard Children 2010.