Why You Should Get Support

Do you have concerns about a loved one, and are wondering what to do?

If you are,  you are not alone. reach out for support.

Because,  from my own, personal experience, of once having a young teenage son involved in extremism, I know you cannot do anything alone.

Having received support,  I have learned from communication with other families affected by radicalisation and extremism, and working with professionals involved in this area, that getting support, sooner rather than later, is crucial, to reducing extremism.

Firstly, let me be completely honest, and talk to you about the excuses that  I,  and others , use not to deal with the issue of extremism, within families.

Excuses used could include. 

IT IS JUST A PHASE. 

Really? This is something you simply cannot know,  and regardless of if it is, it’s destructive and damaging and no one should walk this path, because it will only destroy and could lead to them landing up in a lot of trouble and even prison, depending what they are doing. 

THEY ARE JUST EXPRESSING THEIR OPINIONS. 

An opinion that targets, marginalises, or  is negative or hateful to others,  is not ok,  and can result in prosecution, depending on what someone does.

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THEY DO HAVE A POINT.

Do they though? Please don’t be tempted to cherry pick certain points. To not look to bad a parent. You are there to protect your children and it is important that you look at the whole picture. Ask yourself this, does the point validate their actions?

I WILL GET THEM IN TROUBLE. 

Ask yourself this, If you do nothing, and this continues, could it result in them getting into trouble? If so, by getting them help,  you are protecting them and stopping them getting into trouble, so please, if you have concerns, get help.

IT’S ONLY ONLINE.

Spreading hate online is a criminal offence and can lead to prosecution. 

Once a post has been posted,  people do not have any control over it, or who sees it. 

The internet is forever, and posts from many years ago, can come back, and have consequences for the poster,  years later.

THEY ARE HARMLESS AND WOULDN’T HURT A FLY.

Maybe they are, and this is often the case, but if they have been radicalised,they a=will not be thinking, as they once did, and they could be talking about harming others.  

I could go on, but hopefully, you can see why getting support is so important.

I’m lucky, My son was fortunate, and he got support from Prevent, which helped him walk away from involvement. 

If you are worried, have concerns, get help. Search Act Early and give them a call. Their telephone line is open 24 hours a day. So you can always talk to someone.

For lived experience support, talk to us at Exit Hate.

Email: info@exithate.org

Never alone, support is available. All you have to do is ask.

Sarah

Exit Hate Project Lead