Addressing Violent Radicalisation and Extremism - A Restorative Justice & Psychosocial Approach

This book adopts an interdisciplinary approach to confront one of the most urgent global challenges of our time violent radicalisation and extremism. It critically examines how restorative justice, positive criminology, and positive psychology intersect to address the behaviors and social conditions that foster extremism, offering a framework that reflects the complexities of our era.
Grounded in a synthesis of philosophical inquiry, normative analysis, and empirical evidence from six international pilot projects conducted between 2017 and 2024, the volume navigates the shifting boundaries between punitive and preventive approaches. It explores the potential of community-based initiatives to foster understanding, empathy, and empowerment as means to reduce violence and promote reconciliation.
Through a focus on the psychological and social roots of extremism, the book delves into the restorative capacity of justice systems to mend fractured communities and the role of positive psychological interventions in reshaping harmful behaviors. In doing so, it bridges theoretical advancements with actionable strategies for policymakers, practitioners, and researchers seeking alternatives to traditional punitive models.
This collection reflects the depth and breadth of contemporary scholarship in counter-extremism, offering perspectives from established experts and emerging voices. It serves as a vital resource for those engaged in fields such as social work, human rights, conflict resolution, and criminology, contributing fresh insights and practical tools to prevent and mitigate radicalisation.
This book 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.  This book is a thought-provoking and important contribution to the discourse on counter-extremism .

List of contents

Part 1. Setting and reviewing the foundations.- Chapter 1. New wine in old wineskins and a new way forward.- Chapter 2. Positive Psychology and Restorative Justice for violent radicalisation and extremism.- Chapter 3. The RJiNEAR model of resilience - theory and practice.- Chapter 4. Power, inequality and injustice - finding the terrorist from within.- Part 2. Evidence-driven practice: Case studies.- Chapter 5. The Youth Empowerment and Innovation Project: Comparative findings from the pilots in the UK, Greece, Cyprus, Italy, Sweden, Romania and Portugal..- Chapter 6. Comparative findings from the Human Rights and Prevention of Violent Extremism project in Indonesia.- Chapter 7. The My Voice, My Future Project: Findings from the pilots in the UK, Southwark - London..- Chapter 8. Findings from the RJ4All Youth Clubs+ programme.- Chapter 9. The Restorative Dialogue against Violent Radicalisation (RADEX) project: Comparative findings from the pilots in Turkey, Spain, the UK, Romania, Ireland and Italy..- Chapter 10. The Mobilising against Extremism through countering and diverting radicalisation of young people project (RDaVR): Comparative findings from Germany, Cyprus, the UK, Greece, Belgium and France..- Part 3. New directions in research, policy & practice.- Chapter 11. Gaps, next steps and a guide for research.- Chapter 12. Gaps, next steps and a guide for policy and practice.

About the author

Professor Theo Gavrielides, PhD, is a legal philosopher and an international expert in restorative justice and human rights.
He is the Founder and Director of the Restorative Justice for All (RJ4All) International Institute, which aims to advance community cohesion and redistribute power through the values of restorative justice. He is also the Founder and Editor-in-Chief of RJ4All Publications, which is the publishing arm of RJ4All. He founded RJ4All Sports, the fitness arm of RJ4All and runs the RJ4All Rotherhithe Community Centre.
In 2021, Professor Gavrielides received The Liberty of the Old Metropolitan Borough of Bermondsey award as part of the Southwark Civic Awards 2020 for his contribution to the community during difficult times.
Dr. Gavrielides is also a Barrister and a Visiting Professor at the University of East London as well as a Visiting Professor at Buckinghamshire New University (UK). He is the Editor-in-Chief of the peer-reviewed journals: International Journal of Human Rights in Healthcare, Youth Voice Journal , and Internet Journal of Restorative Justice.

Summary

This book adopts an interdisciplinary approach to confront one of the most urgent global challenges of our time violent radicalisation and extremism. It critically examines how restorative justice, positive criminology, and positive psychology intersect to address the behaviors and social conditions that foster extremism, offering a framework that reflects the complexities of our era.
Grounded in a synthesis of philosophical inquiry, normative analysis, and empirical evidence from six international pilot projects conducted between 2017 and 2024, the volume navigates the shifting boundaries between punitive and preventive approaches. It explores the potential of community-based initiatives to foster understanding, empathy, and empowerment as means to reduce violence and promote reconciliation.
Through a focus on the psychological and social roots of extremism, the book delves into the restorative capacity of justice systems to mend fractured communities and the role of positive psychological interventions in reshaping harmful behaviors. In doing so, it bridges theoretical advancements with actionable strategies for policymakers, practitioners, and researchers seeking alternatives to traditional punitive models.
This collection reflects the depth and breadth of contemporary scholarship in counter-extremism, offering perspectives from established experts and emerging voices. It serves as a vital resource for those engaged in fields such as social work, human rights, conflict resolution, and criminology, contributing fresh insights and practical tools to prevent and mitigate radicalisation.
“This book 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.  This book is a thought-provoking and important contribution to the discourse on counter-extremism”.
Professor Clarence Augustus Martin, California State University, USA
"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 and case studies, Theo Gavrielides presents the scientific community with a work where science becomes a lens through which reality can be understood and reshaped."
Professor Grazia Manmozzi, University of Insubria, Italy.

Product details

• Authors: Theo Gavrielides
• Publisher: Springer, Berlin
• Languages: English
• Product format: Hardback
• Released: 06.07.2025
• EAN: 9783031840319
• ISBN: 978-3-0-3184031-9
• No. of pages: 333
• Dimensions: 155 mm x 25 mm x 235 mm
• Weight: 707 g
• Illustrations: XXXVII, 333 p. 124 illus., 119 illus. in color.
• Subjects: Humanities, art, music > Psychology > Applied psychology; Verbrechen und Kriminologie (Kriminalistik), positive psychology, Law and Criminology, forensic psychology, Crime Control and Security, Restorative Justice, crime prevention and control, Terrorist studies