Insights from Former Extremists
This project presents in-depth analyses of life-course interviews with former members of right-wing extremist groups. These former extremists offer their candid opinions on ways recruitment into these groups can be prevented and countered, and on the options available to those who want to leave.
This work has several practical applications. For instance, it can be used to build a curriculum educators can use to discuss difficult subjects. It can also help people who have been impacted by right-wing extremism. And it can also help clinical mental health professionals assess formers and develop support mechanisms as they go through the process of disengagement.
Articles
By Tiana Gaudette, Ryan Scrivens, and Vivek Venkatesh
*Gaudette, T., Scrivens, R., & Venkatesh, V. (2022). Disengaged but still radical? Pathways out of violent right-wing extremism. Terrorism and Political Violence, Advance online publication. https://doi.org/10.1080/09546553.2022.2082288
Research has overwhelmingly focused on pathways into violent extremism, but few empirically grounded analyses have examined pathways out of violent extremism. Even less is empirically known about the interactions between processes of disengagement and deradicalization from violent extremism. To address this gap, in-depth interviews were conducted with ten Canadian former right-wing extremists who were actively involved in violent racist skinhead groups, with interview questions provided by thirty Canadian law enforcement officials and ten local community activists. Participants were asked about their pathways out of violent extremism with a particular emphasis on processes of disengagement and deradicalization. Overall, our study findings highlight the multifaceted and multidimensional nature of pathways out of violent extremism as well as how radical beliefs persist beyond disengagement from violent extremism. We conclude with a discussion of the study limitations and avenues for future research.
Disengaged but still radical? Pathways out of violent right-wing extremism
The Role of the Internet in Facilitating Violent Extremism: Insights from Former Right-Wing Extremists
By Tiana Gaudette, Ryan Scrivens, and Vivek Venkatesh
*Gaudette, T., * Scrivens, R., & Venkatesh, V. (2020). The role of the internet in facilitating violent extremism: Insights from former right-wing extremists. Terrorism and Political Violence, 19.
https://doi.org/10.1080/09546553.2020.1784147
While a growing body of evidence suggests that the Internet is a key facilitator of violent extremism, research in this area has rarely incorporated former extremists’ experiences with the Internet when they were involved in violent extremism. To address this gap, in-depth interviews were conducted with ten Canadian former right-wing extremists who were involved in violent racist skinhead groups, with interview questions provided by thirty Canadian law enforcement officials and ten community activists. Participants were asked about their use of the Internet and the connection between their on- and offline worlds during their involvement in the violent right-wing extremist movement. Overall, our study findings highlight the interplay between the Internet and violent extremism as well as the interactions between the on- and offline worlds of violent extremists. We conclude with a discussion of study limitations and avenues for future research.
By Ryan Scrivens, Vivek Venkatesh, Maxime Bérubé, and Tiana Gaudette
*Scrivens, R., Venkatesh, V., *Bérubé, M., & *Gaudette, T. (2019). Combating violent extremism: Voices of former right-wing extremists. Studies in Conflict & Terrorism.
https://doi.org/10.1080/1057610X.2019.1686856
While it has become increasingly common for researchers, practitioners and policy-makers to draw from the insights of former extremists to combat violent extremism, overlooked in this evolving space has been an in-depth look at how formers perceive such efforts. To address this gap, interviews were conducted with 10 Canadian former right-wing extremists based on a series of questions provided by 30 Canadian law enforcement officials and 10 community activists. Overall, formers suggest that combating violent extremism requires a multidimensional response, largely consisting of support from parents and families, teachers and educators, law enforcement officials, and other credible formers.
Link to article in Studies in Conflict & Terrorism
Combating Violent Extremism: Voices of Former Right-Wing Extremists
By Maxime Bérubé, Ryan Scrivens, Vivek Venkatesh, and Tiana Gaudette
*Bérubé, M., *Scrivens, R., Venkatesh, V., & *Gaudette, T. (2019). Converging patterns in pathways in and out of violent extremism. Perspectives on Terrorism, 13(6), 73-89.
In recent years, research on pathways in and out of violent extremism has grown at a staggering rate. Yet much of what is known about these oftentimes “mysterious” processes does not necessarily shed light on the specific aspects of right-wing extremism, and especially not from a Canadian perspective. In an effort to bridge this gap, we use a life-course criminology approach to draw from the voices of former extremists to gain insights into their respective trajectories in and out of violent extremism. A total of 10 life course interviews were conducted with former Canadian members of violent right-wing extremist groups. Analyses of these data suggest that even if there is no single trajectory in and out of violent extremism, there are still converging patterns such as the attraction for common pull factors and a profound dedication to the right-wing cause. Our analyses also demonstrate that the emotional toll of leaving the movement is often characterized by exhaustion, isolation and regrets.
Converging Patterns in Pathways in and out of Violent Extremism: Insights from Former Canadian Right-Wing Extremists
Here are 3 interviews with former extremists. They were recorded in collaboration with the From Hate to Hope massive open online course. Brad Galloway, Maxime Fiset, and Mubin Shaikh talk about their personal experiences.
News
Concordia University, February 12 2020
What former skinheads say about why they joined hate groups and why they left by Jonathan Montpetit
CBC, February 13 2020
L’empathie est « la clé » pour éradiquer l’extrémisme, plaident des chercheurs by Henri Ouellette Vézina (in French)
Journal Metro, February 14 2020
Why do Canadians join hate groups? Concordia researchers may have part of the answer by Adam Kovac
CTV, February 16 2020
The number of Canadians joining hate groups is rising. Why is this happening? By Elias Makos
CJAD 800, February 18 2020
Vox Pol blog, July 22 and July 29 2020
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