Majority think schools should teach about dangers of far right extremism

A large majority (68%) of people agree that schools should teach students about the dangers of far right extremism, according to polling from HOPE not hate campaign group, which has released the findings to mark the launch of a Deradicalisation Unit aimed at providing specialist support to children at risk of becoming radicalised by the far right.

The polling highlights public concern for an issue that has been rapidly growing –  to date, there have been 70 terrorism-related convictions of far right activists since 2017, and young people under the age of 24 now account for nearly 60% of extreme right wing terror arrests.

HOPE not hate, which has an Education Unit that has supported nearly 90,000 students across the UK since 2016, has launched the Deradicalisation Unit after years of reports from teaching staff coming across students who needed specialised support. In a digital age where access to extremist content is easier than ever before, there are currently little to no options for specialist intervention aimed at supporting young people on the brink of radicalisation.

The polling released by HOPE not hate also found that the majority of people in Great Britain (74%) agree that young people at school should learn about racism and discrimination as part of their curriculum, while nearly two thirds (62%) think that the risk of people becoming radicalised by political extremists is greater than it was 10 years ago.

Further findings showed that over two thirds of people (71%) agree that the violence and sexual violence young people see online and in gaming worlds has a detrimental effect on their real life relationships.

A majority (68%), are worried by the amount of extremis content on social media.

Two thirds of people (66%) agree that students who display or express racist views and speech should undertake some racism training
Nearly half (46%) agree that young women are less likely to participate in online debates, platforms and games, because of fear of online abuse by men
 
The new HOPE not hate Deradicalisation Unit has now hired a dedicated caseworker who will assist parents, friends and educators who may be concerned about individuals heading ‘down the rabbit hole’ towards (far-right) extremism, and who will be supported by a consultant psychologist. The Unit is also developing an educational video (to be launched later in the year) which will feature the first hand experiences of someone radicalised by the far right, to be shown in schools around the country.

Owen Jones, Director of Education and Deradicalisation at HOPE not hate, the UK’s leading antifascism and antiracism campaign group, said, “For far too long, far right radicalisation has been an issue that has not gotten the attention it deserves.

“While there are a number of small number of projects working with those at risk of far-right radicalisation, and the government has its safeguarding programme, Prevent, few have access to the cutting-edge research HOPE not hate employs, nor a detailed understanding of the fast-moving online ecosphere and ideologies in which vulnerable youth can all-too easily become embroiled.

“That’s where HOPE not hate comes in. The government’s approach to tackling extremism is too focused on identifying and reporting pupils thought to be at risk of radicalisation, rather than teaching pupils how to reject and discuss hateful views and ideologies.

“We think it’s important to be able to take a holistic approach which looks sensitively at what a young person at risk of radicalisation is going through, stepping in before they require more drastic intervention.”

HOPE not hate’s new team will draw upon a variety of expertise, including lessons learned from dealing with young people drawn to gangs, as well as those groomed into so-called ‘country lines’ drug dealing networks. Anyone concerned about an individual – it could be a young person, but equally an adult, too – will be able to approach HOPE not hate’s dedicated caseworker and request an initial consultation. From there, they will be assessed and supported, or referred onwards to relevant services. A part of the programme will also be dedicated to assisting anyone looking to leave the far right.