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Support & Recovery Explained

Moving away from extremism is hard.

It is not just a process, where people re-evaluate and reject their ideas and get short term support to leave, people also need support long-term to fill the void left after someone has left with alternative interests to aid people’s recovery, because many suffer from what we call - involvement trauma.

Involvement trauma can mean many things, to many people.

It can include feelings of guilt, blame and shame for what people have said.

It can include flashbacks of confrontations, verbal and physical, being arrested, prison time, rows with family members and so much more.

To help people walk away from involvement, we need to offer a safe space, where people don’t feel judged, but listened to, offered support, guidance and reassurance, so they know they are not alone.

We need to look at why people get involved, the triggers, failures of society and understand, why people get involved in extremism and the many reasons which lead to this decision.

We have to evaluate what extremists offer, what is their pull and offer spaces where people can talk about immigration, what happens when countries have a large influx of people (regardless of ethnicity or religion) and how this impacts communities where people settle,. Questions need to asked like - Does this effect things like housing waiting lists, the local NHS service, community cohesion and much more. And are people scared and if so, why? What do they fear?

These questions need asking and discussing, because the the far-right are.

We need to look at ways of getting people to talk to communities so they understand the needs of people, who want help and see past sensationalist headlines.

Once we can do this, we will understand why people go to extremists and this will help us aid people’s recovery, seeing people as people, not labels like racist or Nazi.

Looking at wider recovery, we know from years of experience the journey is long.

People have doubts and then enter a type on no-man’s land, when they aren’t sure what to do, scared to talk about their doubts with comrades, who may view them as traitors or friends and families who may say, I told you so.

Slowly people think about moving away from the movement and can decide its time to walk away, but that isn’t easy and can lead to people feeling failures, embarrassed and ashamed.

Some may reach out, to friends’, family or support agencies, asking for help, and this process has to be slow, well thought out and not dramatic, as this could cause activists the individual knows to react badly, outing peoples well hidden activities, comments or even racist jokes, which are often so bad, people reel at the content, struggling to believe they said it.

But there are reasons.

Wanting to belong, people will say and do the most appalling things to fit in, look the most extreme or committed and this all leads into – involvement trauma.

Helping people come away from extremism, can be emotional, for the individual, their family and the mentor, all matter.

Often many have feelings of betraying comrades, this pain can be devastating, resulting in people feeling alone, isolated and not trusting anyone, and it takes time to open these doors and aid people’s recovery.

For some it can include an outpouring of emotion, held in for years, for others it may mean a slow process of evaluation and for others, simple advice on what people can do after walking away.

For others it can mean looking at rebuilding relationships, finding new employment. Looking for new housing, getting tattoos covered or rid of books, merchandise and all those files online!

After this then comes the need for filling the void, finding safe, alternative interests to fill the time people have spent being active and the ongoing journey of looking at why do people get involved, accepting what you have said and did all in the name of a cause, you no longer believe in.

This means taking responsibility, owning what you have said and done, and understanding the reasons for involvement and the actions you have taken, however painful these are.

For many, it's a deep mire, and honestly some never come to terms with their actions, which can lead to mental health issues, with people having little peace when they are awake and even asleep, reliving things done and said.

But now no-one has to be alone through this, people are here who understand, care, will listen and offer support and guidance.

Aiding people’s recovery can take a long time, with many ups and downs, but with every step, the distance between the old you and the new you grows.

Proving to people you have changed is hard, words as many people say are easy, but what are your actions like?

Do you fear personal contact with others of a different ethnicity, religion or identity and if so what are the reasons?

Can you walk through multicultural areas, without feeling fearful or having racist thoughts?

Can you eat different communities’ food, listen to different music and shake someone’s hand, regardless of their ethnicity, religion or identity and see that individual as a person with needs, worries and concerns, just like you.

For many reading this, you may not see this as recovery, but all of what is listed here is recovery and support needed.

Offering support, this comes in many ways, from educational articles, links and music to online programmes, safe space forums and simple conversations.

Helping to get this conversation started, this article is an open door to think. Why do people get involved, can people change and if so how?

What support do people need, can you help or are you someone who needs help?

You may have been or are currently involved.

You could have a loved one involved or maybe a friend.

The good news is no-one is alone. The door is open, to talk, laugh and cry.

Yes, people cry, young, old, male, female, it doesn’t matter, its life and that’s OK!

People involved in extremism are survivors of extremism too.

People involved suffer and this needs to be addressed.

Yes, its uncomfortable, but ignored this could fester later and this is something we need to address now.

We plan to lift the lid, look inside and get into the mire and help people out.

We are a small charity (Number: 1197666 if you are interested) and we do not shy away from being controversial.

We are against ALL extremism. Yes, our focus is far-right extremism but we have and will continue to support people to walk away from all forms of extremism, no-one is refused support.

The devastation of involvement in extremism is real, horrific and traumatic.

It includes violence against the victims of hate, who should never be forgotten, those involved, their families and our communities are being ripped apart by hate.

But issues from involvement also include, mental health issues, marriage break up's, feelings of guilt, disbelief and shame, the list goes on, and on, and on.

Having been through this ourselves we know the need for support to leave and recovery is vital and we will do all we can to help and support those in need to the best of our ability as a small charity, with very limited resources.

We cannot do this alone, it’s impossible.

Our staff can’t work 12-14 hours a day for weeks without breaking, our volunteers cannot give hours every day as well as having full-time jobs, and families.

We cannot support people, do IT, talk to people, do interviews, assist with research and many more things asked of us..

We need help. Help to assist us to do what we do best, open the doors many can’t, talk to people many can’t, and reduce extremism via education, compassion and understanding.

Can you help?

We need finance to pay staff to support people and help people walk away from involvement in extremism and families with loved ones involved.

If you ......................

Can help, please donate here – https://donorbox.org/exit-support

Know where we can get funding or offer support, email us and let’s talk.

Need support, please get in touch.

It all starts with an email here: info@exithate.org

So, what will you do next?

Mike