THE CHALLENGES, REALITIES AND MYTHS OF TERRORISM

1. THE CHALLENGES, REALITIES AND MYTHSOF TERRORISM Professor David A Alexander MA(Hons), C.Psychol, PhD, FBPS, FRSM, (Hon) FRCPsych Director,Aberdeen Centre for Trauma Research

2. Bouncy castle boy awarded damages

6. “…kill one, frighten ten thousand” (Sun Tzu, Chinese Strategist)

7. Terrorists aim to… • create • mass anxiety • helpless, demoralisation • social disruption • demonstrate • impotence and incompetence of the authorities

8. Brazilian shot by police on London Underground was not acting suspiciously From Wikinews, the free news source you can write! August 16, 2005 Documents, reportedly leaked from the investigation into the death of Jean Charles de Menezes, the Brazilian electrician shot dead by British Police on the London Underground on 22 July reveal that Mr de Menezes was not acting suspiciously and was already restrained when shot. Furthermore, the documents reveal that the original report given by the police and recorded on the coroners report contained many false statements. The reports suggest the police shot Jean Charles de Menezes because they mistakenly identified him as Hussain Osman, and had agreed to shoot him if he ran. Hussain Osman was suspected of having placed a faulty or mock explosive in a train. London Underground

9. Other deaths (2001) • 30,000 suicides • 16,000 homicides • 43,000 motor vehicles • 15,000 “drink driving”

10. “Let no one be in any doubt; the rules of the game are changing.” Mr Tony Blair, Press Conference, 5th August 2005

12. The “rule of law” means the protection from arbitrary action from the State and the general population.The “rule by law” subjugates the “rule of law”. Vaughan and Kilcommins, 2008

13. “IT WOULDN’T HAPPEN HERE...”

14. Aircraft cockpit intrusions not a new phenomena • “Air Rage: crisis in the skies”, AR Thomas, 2001

15. Excessive faith in technology

16. US Transportation Security Administration Screeners Missed • 70% knives • 60% simulated explosives • 30% guns NB: “Hit rate” 52%

17. Weaknesses...? • poor training (regular) • poor psychological understanding • lack of resources • real threats not on database • lack of courtesy

18. ? Who am I...? • son of kind, self made philanthropist • shy, isolated • one of 54 children • polite, intelligent, conscientious • enjoyed desert camping • believed in modesty of women

19. Osama bin Laden • son of kind, self made philanthropist • shy, isolated • one of 54 children • polite, intelligent, conscientious • enjoyed desert camping • believed in modesty of women

20. No single profile, but... • charismatic leader • indoctrination • powerless • disaffected • injustice • humiliation • lack of self esteem

22. “evil” “filth” “cowardly” “animals” “scum” “inhuman” “vile people” “appalling” “abhorrent” “pigs” “ghastly”

23. Suicide terrorism • Mad, bad, sad, or glad?

24. A CBRN attack would benefit from… • an invisible “enemy” • uncertain effects • uncertain scientific knowledge • no fixed “low point” • physical inconveniences

25. Physical inconveniences • barrier environments • quarantine • restricted travel • mass immunisation • decontamination

26. MASS PSYCHOGENIC ILLNESS

27. Initial reactions to trauma • 15% “rational” • 75% stunned and numbed • 10% “frozen” or panic NB: Collective reactions may well be constructive

28. London bombings: 14 day follow-up • 31% “substantial stress • 32% intended to travel less • “substantial stress” linked to • unable to contact family • thought could been have killed or wounded • being Muslim • 1% wanted professional help

29. Dilemmas forewarning or unnecessary anxiety preparation or preoccupation investment or monopoly security or loss of civil liberties

30. “Honeymoon” Impact Warning Enhanced Community and Individual Adjustment Disillusionment Level of Adjustment Previous Level of Adjustment “Second Disaster” Time Weeks Months (Modified with permission of Raphael [1986] “When disaster strikes”) Phases of Response to Major Trauma