The Community Safety & Wellbeing Service came back to the youth cabinet on the 6th of March, to feedback on their progress and ask how the group would like to be involved.
“Today was a good experience I got to know everyones opinions and allowed me to search further the topic of radicalisation and plan the content of the video to raise awareness and inform people.” Youth Cabinet Member.
The youth cabinet were asked to give their thoughts and opinions on the following questions:
What Is Radicalisation?
How Does It Happen?
“It starts with something you can relate too. You feel that they get you, become friends, feel understood. They build off of your experiences. Turn you against your family, to make you feel alone and that they’re the only family you have. They start soft, then slowly change and start to tell you that the only way to make change is to do X. They create blame, it’s someone else’s fault. ‘We can give you a better life’, always working to achieve that promise. Want you to feel like you’re fighting against something [injustice]. They will use emotional blackmail or bribery. Use evidence against you, and it becomes a vicious circle. It can take place anywhere; online, social media, in person, twitter, texting, youtube, advertising, groups (they may target support groups), make it out as facts, only telling a part of the story. It is elitist; you can only be more valued in the group by the more you do.” Youth Cabinet Members feeding back on all the different ways someone could become radicalised.
What Can You Do About It?
“Talk to someone about it; school, friends, adult. Block the person. Report anonymously online. Call 101.”
The Youth Cabinet also fedback on the changes that could be made to encourage people coming forward: “Make people feel more comfortable to tell someone, that they are ‘not the enemy’. Made to seem less intimidating, less about reporting more about advice. Contacting police ‘makes you feel uncomfortable’. Main message: don’t be afraid to tell emergency services / you’re not alone / talk to somebody. Coordinators explain the process. Have different professionals (teacher, police officer) say “We want you to talk to us about radicalisation because…””
If you would like to read more blogs from the Youth Cabinet, you can read them here.
What is the West Sussex Youth Cabinet?
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