Children's Commissioner Expresses Concern Over Prevent Referrals

Why it matters locally: While the Prevent program is a national initiative, its implementation and the needs of children referred for support would be relevant to state agencies and social services in Mississippi that work with vulnerable youth.

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Dame Rachel de Souza, the Children's Commissioner, expressed concerns regarding the suitability of children referred to the government's Prevent counter-terrorism program. She stated that a growing number of these children require help that the program does not provide. De Souza indicated that many children referred to Prevent are not appropriate candidates for the program. She clarified that these individuals instead need different types of support.