Children's Commissioner Expresses Concern Over Prevent Referrals

Why it matters locally: While Prevent is a UK government program, the broader discussion about the appropriateness of referrals to counter-terrorism programs and the need for alternative support for vulnerable youth is relevant to policy discussions within the District of Columbia regarding child welfare and intervention strategies.

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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.