SURVIVOR STORIES: Travis Frain
National Chair of the UK Counter Terrorism Youth Advisory Group and PhD Researcher & Co-Founder of Survivors Against Terror. He is a survivor of the Westminster Bridge terrorist attack and doctoral researcher at Edge Hill University. His research explores the history of Islamist extremism.
Travis Frain survived the attack on Tower Bridge in 2017, and describes the lengthy recovery from his injuries, both physical and emotional. He describes the long-standing trauma, and the lack of medical and psychological support for survivors of terrorist attacks. His research found that few survivors were able to access adequate mental health support and had to fight to have their needs met. He identifies a lack of political will to support survivors of extremist violence and outlines practical ways to provide help, from peer support networks to commemorative events. He outlines his work in deradicalisation and in the impacts of radicalisation in schools and with the police. He explains the steps that need to be taken to protect citizens from extremist violence – including embracing diversity and building inclusive communities.