Het signaleren van radicalisering door eerstelijnswerkers onder moslimjongeren in de Nederlandse samenleving

Abstract

Literature contains a scarce amount of information about the overall experiences of frontline workers signalizing Islamic radicalization of youth. How ever, these frontline workers are extremely relevant in the process of signalizing Islamic radicalization. They have the opportunity to establish direct contact with Islamic youth. This article attempts to provide insights into the experiences of frontline workers. The purpose of this study is to explain how frontline workers signalize Islamic radicalization of youth in the Netherlands. In order to find an answer to the research question, four sub-questions are included in this qualitative research. In these questions four relevant subjects will be discussed: ‘own definition of the term radicalization’, ‘risk factors’, ‘protective factors regarding prevention’ and ‘measurement instruments and models’. The findings of this research suggest some important adjustments in signalizing radicalization by frontline workers and give rise to important aspects that can be further developed in follow-up research. First of all, most of the frontline workers consider signalizing Islamic radicalization of youth as a comple x process. There should be more consistency about the definition of radicalization. Besides that, more general knowledge is required concerning prevention, measurement instruments and models amongst frontline workers in order to signalize this process properly. Furthermore it appears that the organizations of the respondents have often failed to implement training, protocols and other methods to prevent radicalization. It is obvious that in order to signalize radicalization, frontline workers should be equi pped with more knowledge about Islamic radicalization among youth.