{
  "id": 6635521,
  "title": "Can people truly walk away from terrorism? Inside the slow work of rehabilitation",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/10/can-people-truly-walk-away-from-terrorism-inside-the-slow-work-of",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-09-10T20:12:56.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "The Conversation AU",
    "slug": "the-conversation-au",
    "url": "https://theconversation.com/can-people-truly-walk-away-from-terrorism-inside-the-slow-work-of-rehabilitation-291158"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "As we commemorate the 25th anniversary of the 9/11 terrorist attacks, which claimed the lives of nearly 3,000 individuals, terrorism continues to pose a persistent and evolving threat. The notion that all terrorists are inherently the same and that rehabilitation initiatives lack efficacy is a widely held belief. However, mounting research indicates that some individuals can indeed depart from terrorism and lead fulfilling lives in accordance with their own values and interests.\n\nThe rehabilitation process for those entangled in terrorism is seldom attributable to a single catalyst or motivation. A myriad of factors, including ideology, relationships, and social identity formation, coalesce to shape an individual's involvement in terrorism. Ideology, encompassing a person's political, religious, or social beliefs, plays a significant role in the journey towards terrorism but cannot singularly account for their actions.\n\nReintegrating into society after leaving terrorism is a complex endeavor, requiring more than merely severing ties with a group or cause. Successful disengagement entails discovering a new purpose, fostering a sense of belonging, and cultivating personal growth. Many who abandon terrorism must confront the challenge of rebuilding their identity, as terrorist organizations often provide a strong sense of belonging that can be difficult to replace.\n\nThe Community Integration Support Program (CISP) in Victoria, Australia, has been at the forefront of addressing the rehabilitation of individuals motivated by Salafi jihadism. This program provides comprehensive, individualized support through a multidisciplinary team comprising religious mentors, case managers, clinical psychologists, a transition officer, and a family support officer. Through in-depth research, we interviewed 24 CISP participants, 20 of whom had been convicted of terrorism-related offenses, spanning several years post-rehabilitation.\n\nA crucial aspect of the CISP's approach involves revising participants' ideological perspectives. This process entails becoming more receptive to nuance and alternative viewpoints, moving away from simplistic black-and-white thinking. This transformation typically unfolds gradually, guided by trusted relationships and unexpected acts of kindness from those previously considered adversaries. Many participants achieved genuine ideological shifts through the provision of additional knowledge, contextual interpretation, guidance, care, and time. This gradual evolution enabled them to feel secure enough to question and challenge the beliefs that led to their criminal actions.\n\nOne participant encapsulated the impact of the CISP, stating that the program taught them to consider context and recognize that terrorism is not solely a matter of right or wrong. It instilled in them humility and the ability to approach situations with empathy and understanding. Furthermore, the participants' ideological trajectories were often driven by moral considerations, such as justice, compassion, and self-sacrifice, which were selectively applied to certain groups while excluded from others. For these individuals, leaving terrorism behind did not entail discarding those values but rather discovering new, legitimate ways to express them, such as through service and commitment to family, community, faith, and marginalized individuals they once deemed unworthy.\n\nThis process of transformation is a gradual journey, often spanning several years. While some participants demonstrate positive change relatively quickly, the majority do not exhibit lasting transformation until well into the program, typically after three or more years. To reduce the likelihood of individuals returning to terrorism, the evidence suggests that a patient, long-term approach focusing on helping them build a different life is essential.",
  "summary": "Walking away from terrorist offending is far more complicated than simply quitting a group or a cause. But evidence shows well-designed programs can work.",
  "key_points": [
    "Some individuals can leave terrorism and lead fulfilling lives",
    "Rehabilitation involves ideology revision and new purpose discovery",
    "CISP in Victoria, Australia supports long-term disengagement"
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Phys.org",
        "title": "Can people truly walk away from terrorism? Inside the slow work of rehabilitation",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/11/can-people-truly-walk-away-from-terrorism-inside-the-slow-work-of",
        "published": "2026-09-11T11:40:04.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}