Opinion - Inspiring Practices for the Meaningful Inclusion of Victims/survivors of Terrorism in P/CVE work, December 2023

Victims and survivors can play many valuable roles in preventing and countering violent extremism (P/CVE), through sharing both their personal testimony and their experience and expertise built up over years of work and research in the wider P/CVE sector. Acknowledging this must be the baseline for the meaningful inclusion of victims/survivors of terrorism in P/CVE work.

Yet, considerations must also be taken to prevent such inclusion from becoming exploitative or further causing harm to the health and well-being of victims/survivors. It is key to remember that victims/survivors going into P/CVE work are exceptions, not rules.

Most victims/survivors may not wish to contribute to the P/CVE field, and they have no obligation to do so. If a victim/survivor chooses to enter the field, they also have every right to later withdraw from it. That must be respected. Some victims/survivors choose to engage with the P/CVE field by giving testimony and sharing their experiences in educational and preventive contexts; this involvement often takes place in a part-time capacity. If facilitated well, these contributions can be a fruitful experience both for audiences and the victim/survivor.

Other victims/survivors transition into full-time careers in the P/CVE sector and contribute to research, prevention and intervention work, policy development, legislative proceedings and law enforcement efforts.

This paper aims to address some of the challenges faced by victims/survivors in the P/CVE sector and explore inspiring practices for the inclusion of victims/survivors of terrorism in P/CVE work.