Thread by @Medact

First up, we’re hearing from Jordan and Mashal of Medact’s Securitisation of Health Group.

#EndPrevent

So what is Prevent? It’s part of the government’s counter terrorism strategy which aims to identify risks to national security. The UK is the only country where healthcare providers are required to engage in counter-terrorism.

#EndPrevent

Prevent is meant to stop harm. But does it really keep us safe? A UN report found there to be no causal link between Prevent and a decrease in domestic terrorism or “serious violence”.

#EndPrevent

Prevent has no credible evidence base. It has never been independently evaluated. There is a concerning lack of transparency around the inner workings of the programme. Leaked reports found Prevent disproportionately targets British Muslims, mainly young men.

#EndPrevent

Evidence shows Prevent to be institutionally and actively racist, exacerbating existing health inequalities, and a source of significant physical and psychological harm to marginalised communities who already experience systemic oppression and harm.
#EndPrevent

So how can we oppose it? Repeal it, demand adopt of evidence based public health policies, redressal of the harms caused by Prevent, & by taking collective action! Check out our Securitisation of Health Group here: medact.org/membership/gro…

#EndPrevent

Next up we are thrilled to host @khankfarza of @HJusticeLDN. She opens by arguing against adapting or becoming resilient to trauma or adapting to oppression as part of liberatory trauma work.
#EndPrevent

In the context of trauma: “We’re trying to understand why the responses that we’re having are useful and generative to us... turning the gaze to reinvestment in our communities” @khankfarza #EndPrevent

You may be aware of stress/distress responses and their physiological impacts on the body. For communities with ongoing and cumulative trauma, this impact is severe - especially on young people, who we know to be especially targeted by Prevent.
#EndPrevent

As a pre-criminal programme, Prevent is a source of oppression based trauma: a cumulative and insidious process that “weak(ens) our trust in our bodies, homes, realities & relationships”. @khankfarza #EndPrevent

The tragic knock-on effect of Prevent is that it can stop Muslims from seeking healthcare and mental health support out of fear. It can encourage a carceral logic in domestic & community settings, leading parents to police their children from fear of criminalisation.
#EndPrevent

“Once our agency and the impacts of trauma start to break down our communities, (we are denied) our capacity to resist & resist on our terms in a resourced and sustainable way” @khankfarza #EndPrevent

We know people want the tools to challenge this racist, Islamophobic and traumatising programme.

If you want advice on challenging Prevent in your workplace, you can contact Reem, our Peace & Security Campaign & Programme Lead on [e-mail]

#EndPrevent

Thank you to our Securitisation of Health Group & to everyone who has shared their experiences of Prevent, despite potential re-traumatisation.

Big thanks to the amazing Farzana Khan @khankfarza of
@HJusticeLDN. Check out their work here: healingjusticeldn.org

#EndPrevent

@threadreaderapp unroll