Reflections on research: Families affected by counter-terrorism in the UK

Abstract

Following the terrorist attacks on New York and London, the counterterrorism legislation in the UK strengthened surveillance and national security and led to the incarceration of many Muslim men. Whilst the treatment of prisoners and detainees received considerable attention in public debate, the families that are left behind have been neglected by politicians, academics, the media and service providers alike. This article reflects on the experiences of conducting a small exploratory study amongst such families in the West Midlands and highlights some of the ways in which the heightened concerns about national security impinged upon the research process.

Is radicalization a family issue? A systematic review of family‐related risk and protective factors, consequences, and interventions against radicalization

“…Family members of radicalized individuals can suffer internalizing problems such as anxiety and depression (Guru, 2012a(Guru, , 2012b. This might cause a polyvictimization process that could increase the risk of radicalization of the previously non-radicalized family members over the lifespan.…”

“…Thus, studying the impact of radicalization on family is urgently needed. This is especially true given that some qualitative studies found that families of radicalized individuals are highly affected (Guru, 2012a(Guru, , 2012b. Our systematic review included a wide range The included studies were mostly cross-sectional, and it was impossible to establish which family-related factors were causal or preceded radicalization.…”

“…Radicalization might have damaging psychological and social effects on the family (Guru, 2012a, 2012b). Some studies suggest that families of radicalized individuals are victimized by others as they may become socially isolated (Gielen, 2015; Guru, 2012a, 2012b). Regarding consequences of radicalization for families, research shows that family members of radicalized individuals are frequently shamed, blamed and socially rejected which can be related to mental health issues (Guru, 2012a, 2012b).…”

“…Some studies suggest that families of radicalized individuals are victimized by others as they may become socially isolated (Gielen, 2015; Guru, 2012a, 2012b). Regarding consequences of radicalization for families, research shows that family members of radicalized individuals are frequently shamed, blamed and socially rejected which can be related to mental health issues (Guru, 2012a, 2012b). Labeling is a well‐known phenomenon in social sciences, according to which individuals start to behave according to labels given to them by others (Scheff, 1974).…”

Armed Conflict and Social Work: Significance and Implications

“…Al Mikhamresh et al (2012), researching social work activities with Iraqi refugees in Jordan, highlight the need for politically competent social work practice, in the sense of having to understand well the 'political map' in the situation and use this understanding to benefit clients. Guru (2012) refers to the dilemma of the researcher attempting to work with families of young Moslem men accused of engaging in terrorist activities. This research sympathizes with the families and wishes to understand better their context, but is not sure how ethical it is to research such families at the crisis stage in which their lives are embedded, while the researchers simultaneously experience difficulties in getting ethical permission to carry out this research on the grounds of potential risk to them.…”