Addressing Violent Radicalisation and Extremism: A restorative justice, psychosocial approach

“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)

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“In an important innovation, the author develops a model which integrates such therapeutic interventions with established restorative justice practices of proven effectiveness, especially family group conference and restorative justice circles (hence RJiNEAR). This introduces important elements of community support, personal empowerment and sensitivity to the need to fully understand and address the harmfulness of violent acts into the therapeutic process. It results in interventions which draw upon community power and involvement in efforts to reintegrate and heal marginalised individuals and groups, a variety of solution-focussed therapeutic interventions, and efforts to enable individuals to reconstruct a strong inner world. Importantly, RJiNEAR is presented not as a rigid model of intervention, but rather as a broad framework that can be populated with a wide variety of programmes according to local needs and environments.  

Professor Gerry Johnstone (Hull University, UK)

"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).