A NEW REHAB PLAYBOOK
Experts said that given that the number of CoVE cases in Singapore is quite small so far, there is insufficient evidence to conclude that rehabilitating such individuals necessarily takes longer or is inherently more difficult than single-ideology cases.
However, it is certainly a more complex issue and a new approach may be needed beyond the traditional playbook, said experts.
When someone has been influenced by multiple narratives, rehabilitation is no longer just about addressing ideology, but also factors like identity issues, unresolved trauma, emotional wellbeing and family relationships, said Assoc Prof Razwana.
“This naturally requires a multidisciplinary approach. Psychologists, counsellors, social workers, educators, family members and, where appropriate, religious or ideological mentors all have an important role to play. No single profession can address all the different factors that contribute to radicalisation,” she said.
Dr Joachim Lee, a volunteer religious counsellor and mentor for youths, said that while CoVE extremists are “not necessarily harder to rehabilitate”, they are often more complex because the individual has drawn from multiple, sometimes contradictory, extremist narratives.
When it comes to youths, early intervention is especially important, said the founder of Neuro-Therapy clinic.
“Adolescence is a period of significant brain development, making young people more vulnerable to online manipulation but also more responsive to timely rehabilitation,” said Dr Lee.
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