Addressing Violent Radicalisation and Extremism: A restorative justice, psychosocial approach
Theo Gavrielides (2025) New York: Springer
Book's impetus & innovation
At a critical time when divisive and extremist narratives are feeding new wars, inter-community and inter-personal conflicts, Gavrielides' new monograph challenges the current model for preventing and controlling violent radicalisation and extremism while it opens new possibilities through a positive, scientific approach. Gavrielides taps into the combined strengths of restorative justice, positive criminology and positive psychology to articulate and pilot a new model for prevention and control of the acts and behaviours that lead to violence and suffering.
The book combines philosophy, normative analysis and primary data collected through six pilot projects that were carried out in several countries from 2017. It presents the results of these pilots and normative thinking through critical analysis leading to practical tools for preventing and controlling harm particularly violent radicalised acts and extremist behaviours and worldviews.
This book speaks to researchers, policymakers, practitioners, and human rights campaigners from around the world looking for a new approach that can better serve harmed parties, their families, and communities.
"This is a pioneering and engaging book that I highly recommend for practice and research in violence prevention.
Gavrielides writes beautifully, building his arguments incrementally and anchoring them in an absolutely impressive range of theoretical, philosophical, cross-disciplinary and empirical argument, going back to ancient Greece while also capturing contemporary academic thought. I completely commend the way he is able to move smoothly, in his writing, between both broad-sweeping and fine-tuning of scholarly material and then, step by step, bringing it towards and applying it to practice measures and programmes"
Dr Howard Williamson CVO CBE FRSA FHEA (Professor of European Youth Policy, University of South Wales, UK Council of Europe Experts in Youth Work)
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"This book provides a thoughtful, nuanced, and wide-ranging perspective on the utility and power of the RJiNEAR model for engaging diverse stakeholders in preventing and counteracting radicalisation. The model itself is strongly grounded in theory, research, and multiple disciplines, and yet is also clearly articulated in a way that makes it applicable and easily understandable. The case studies provide a comprehensive set of evidence for the utility and adaptability of the approach, spanning from multi-national implementation to localized programs during challenging times. They also demonstrate how the model is flexible and adaptable, which is a critical element of any effective restorative justice programme looking to help address the socio-political and historical dynamics that underly youth radicalisation".
Prof. Gabriel Velez PhD, (Marquette University, USA)
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​​"This timely book introduces a fresh and more constructive approach to preventing harm and violence. Using a scientifically tested resilience model and through real-life pilots, Theo Gavrielides gives us hope during difficult times when the divisive narratives are growing worldwide".
Robert Posner (Deputy Chief Executive, ThinkForward)
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“Positive psychology and restorative justice have much to learn from each other especially in rehabilitation and crime prevention. This timely and groundbreaking book brings these two fields together when divisive narratives about the reasons that lead to violent extremism are growing. It introduces a new approach that stands against academic scrutiny while providing us with alternatives that are grounded in evidence and not populist ideas and rhetoric. It is highly recommended for researchers, policy makers and practitioners”.
Prof. Verity Brown, PhD (School of Psychology and Neuroscience, St Andrews University, UK)
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“This book promotes an alternative to traditional approaches of identifying and preventing radicalisation and extremism and is based on solid empirical evidence”.
Costas Antoniou (Lecturer in Psychology, University of Central Lancashire, Cyprus)
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“Gavrielides’ work represents a core contribution to the literature on youth exposure to radicalising contents online and responses to this threat. Chapter 6 is grounded on a “youth-led approach”, built on solid theoretical models. By involving young participants in the co-production of this research, the author successfully fulfilled the following four aims: 1) addressing power imbalances; (2) valuing lived experiences; (3) respecting choice in participation; and (4) empowerment. A highly recommended read!”
Dr. Elisa Orofino (Academic Lead for Extremism and Counter-Terrorism, International Policing & Public Protection Research Institute (IPPPRI) Anglia Ruskin University)
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"This book is not only a source of knowledge, but also a significant advancement in the evolution of thought, offering tangible pathways for action. Through a genuinely interdisciplinary approach, Theo Gavrielides delves deeply into three core areas – restorative justice, positive psychology, and positive criminology – examining them from both an internal and linguistic perspective. Through carefully chosen case studies, he presents the scientific community with a work where science becomes a lens through which reality can be understood and reshaped."
Professor Grazia Mannozzi (Professor of Restorative Justice and Victim-offender Mediation, University of Insubria, Director of the Restorative Justice and Mediation Study Centre Como, Italy).
Book Reviews
“Addressing Violent Radicalisation and Extremism: A Restorative Justice, Psychosocial Approach offers a refreshing and holistic perspective on one of the most pressing global issues today—violent extremism. By integrating restorative justice principles with a psychosocial approach, the book moves beyond punitive measures and focuses on healing, rehabilitation, and the reintegration of individuals into society.
Theo Gavrielides explores the complex roots of radicalization, paying close attention to factors that contribute to extremist ideologies.
This approach is particularly valuable in its ability to connect theory to practice, offering practical information for students and professionals working in the fields of justice, counter-terrorism, and community building. The discussions, case studies, and examples help ground the theory in real-world applications, making it a useful resource for both academics and practitioners.
Overall, this book is a thought-provoking and important contribution to the discourse on counter-extremism, proposing a path that emphasizes empathy, accountability, and long-term peace-building over retribution.”
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Professor Clarence Augustus Martin, J.D., Ph.D. (Chair Department of Criminal Justice Administration, California State University, USA).
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“Theo Gavrielides offers robust theoretical scaffolds and concrete examples of actions that undergone robust evaluations over 10 years. These actions are inspiring and can be replicated elsewhere …
As a well-known and prolific author in the field of restorative justice, Theo Gavrielides is also an engaged practitioner involved in many pilot projects in several countries. In these pages, he analysed some of them to discuss their results, integrating psychosocial, philosophical, political science, social work, educational, criminological, normative, etymological and narrative approaches.
With his writing and concrete examples, Theo Gavrielides shows us that creativity and innovation form an integral part of the restorative justice approach
The book is done and structured in a way that the author does not consider his readers an ‘audience’. We are treated as real and unique fellow human beings with whom the authors holds a dialogue, no matter our backgrounds and interests. Some of those readers might be more in contact with this urgent and vibrant topic as researchers, policymakers, practitioners, pracademics or activists, coming from different disciplines and countries in the borderless fields of non-violence and restorative justice (also transitional and transformative justice). Nevertheless, previous knowledge is not required for this reading because the chapters give us with an unusual, and much needed, clear structure, terminology and tools to tackle the topic. They welcome and guide us through a significant conversation with ourselves, others and the world to think and to act”.
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Professor Gema Varona (Director of the Basque Institute of Criminology, University of the Basque Country, Spain and coordinator of its Restorative Justice Theory & Practice Lab, President of the World Society of Victimology).​​
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"Theo Gavrielides weaves together the threads of restorative justice, positive criminology, and psychology to create a brave analysis of one of society's deepest wounds and how to address it. Through a stimulating combination of case studies and philosophical insight, he reimagines the way we confront violence, offering a compassionate yet practical path forward. This is not just a book, but a call to action - a serious attempt to heal fractured communities. An inspiring work for anyone dedicated to peace and justice."
Dr Giuseppe Maglione (Lecturer in Criminology and Director of the Restorative Justice Clinic at the University of Kent, UK)
Book structure
The book is structured around three parts moving from theory to pilots and ultimately to critical analysis.
Part I aims to present the normative and scientific framework within which the book’s objectives are placed. It starts by critically presenting the deficit model that is currently used to prevent and control violence and harm including violent radicalisation and extremism. New possibilities and conceptual agreements are also pursued. It then moves on to analyse rehabilitation through the lenses of restorative justice, positive psychology and positive criminology. Subsequently, the book's positive resilience model, RJiNEAR, is introduced. Part I concludes by putting the book within the context of power abuse. It looks at the dual nature of power as an architect of terror, but also the key ingredient for prevention and healing.
Part II is exclusively based on new, original data collected through six case studies and fieldwork. The case studies act as pilots that used the book's positive philosophy for building resilience against harm and embodying the restorative justice ethos. The case studies span over 7 years with one still being implemented. Extremist worldviews and hate leading to violent radicalised acts are not static phenomena. They evolve as society is faced with the realities of new global collective shames including the latest war in Ukraine, Gaza and Lebanon, political instability within powerful states and the erosion of equalities. Any model that aspires to prevent and control violence (especially harms that are motivated by extremist and radical views) must be malleable, innovative and indeed brave. Otherwise, it will quickly be faced with a deficit in narrative and practice. Hence, this part of the book aspires to create the first step in articulating in practice a positive approach to building resilience against harm, and through this early evidence inspire others to continue the journey.
Part III combines the normative and empirical approaches of the previous two parts to achieve two objectives. Firstly, it engages in a critical analysis of all the presented evidence and arguments in the hope that new directions can be further explored for rehabilitation and the repair of harm, rooting out hate and the reasons that corrupt our ability to live together. Through this account, the book encourages the reader to attempt a self-reflection by awakening feelings of responsibility, and by raising awareness of the role that we all have in accepting the powers that control the status quo that feeds into the divisive narratives that lead to violence, inequality and injustices. Secondly, it provides a list of resources, ecourses, toolkits and handbooks that were produced during the carrying out of the case studies. These resources can be used buy educators, trainers, practitioners and policy makers with some translated into various languagtes.​
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To find out more about Gavrielides' work in this area follow the link
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Table of contents
Preface: Professor Gerry Johnstone (Hull University, UK)
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Foreword: Professor Gema Varona Martínez (Directora Instituto Vasco de Criminología Basque Institute of Criminology, University of the Basque Country, Spain and President of the World Society of Victimology)
Introduction
About the author
PART I: CHALLENGING AND CHANGING PERSPECTIVES
Chapter 1: Conceptual agreements and a new way forward
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Chapter 2: Rehabilitation and restorative justice reconstructed: a new vision and practice of punishment as cathartic pain
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Chapter 3: The RJiNEAR resilience mode: embodying the restorative justice ethos
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Chapter 4: The dual nature of power: feeding and preventing terror
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PART II: PERSPECTIVES PILOTED: SIX CASE STUDIES
Chapter 5: Case study 1 – preventing violent youth radicalisation: Large-scale pilots in the UK, Greece, Cyprus, Italy, Sweden, Romania, and Portugal.
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Chapter 6: Case study 2 - online violent youth radicalisation and the youth-led method for prevention.
Chapter 7: Case study 3 - understanding online violent youth radicalisation: Pilots in the UK, Cyprus, Greece, Belgium and France.
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Chapter 8: Case study 4 - preventing violent radicalisation in the criminal justice system: Pilots in the UK, Turkey, Spain, Romania, Ireland and Italy.
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Chapter 9: Case study 5 - preventing group and radical youth violence: A small-scale, community-based pilot in the UK.
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Chapter 10: Case study 6 - building youth resilience through sports, art and restorative justice: A multi-year, ongoing community-based pilot in the UK.
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PART III: EPILOGUE & PRACTICAL TOOLKITS
Chapter 11: Critical perspectives: Awakening the terrorist within
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Annex I: Toolkits, e-courses & resources
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Annex II: Train the trainer toolkit
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Index