The Prevent Duty

SOAS is committed to providing a safe, inclusive and respectful environment for all members of our community. We recognise our responsibility to safeguard our students, staff and visitors from harm, including the risk of radicalisation and extremism.

As a higher education provider in England, the University has a statutory duty under the Counter-Terrorism and Security Act 2015 to have due regard to the need to prevent people from being drawn into terrorism. This is known as the Prevent duty.

We approach this duty in a proportionate and risk-based way, balancing safeguarding responsibilities with our core values of academic freedom, freedom of speech and open debate.

Prevent is part of the UK Government’s wider counter-terrorism strategy (CONTEST). Its aim is to:

• safeguard individuals who may be vulnerable to radicalisation
• reduce the risk of people being drawn into terrorism
• promote safe spaces for debate and challenge
• support community cohesion and resilience.

Prevent is about early support and safeguarding, not about criminalising people for holding controversial or unpopular views.

In line with statutory guidance for higher education providers, SOAS will:

• Assess and manage risks related to radicalisation and extremism.
• Provide appropriate training and awareness for relevant staff.
• Ensure that policies and procedures support the Prevent duty.
• Maintain effective welfare and safeguarding processes.
• Manage external speakers and events in a way that protects freedom of speech while mitigating risk.
• Work in partnership with local authorities, police and other agencies where appropriate.

Further information about our approach can be found in the following documents, which can all be located on the SOAS policies and procedures webpage:

• Prevent Policy and Procedure (under the Governance policies section)
• Code of Practice on Freedom of Speech (under the Charters, Statements and Codes section)
• External Speakers and Events Booking Process (under the Estates policies section)
• Safeguarding Policy (under the Governance policies section)

These documents explain how we balance our Prevent duties with our legal obligations to protect freedom of speech within the law and to uphold academic freedom.

We are firmly committed to freedom of speech within the law, as required by the Education (No. 2) Act 1986 and other relevant legislation. Universities play a vital role in fostering debate, critical thinking and the lawful expression of diverse and challenging ideas.

Our Prevent responsibilities do not restrict lawful speech or academic inquiry. Instead, they ensure that events and activities are appropriately assessed so that risks can be identified and managed proportionately.

If a member of our community is concerned that someone may be vulnerable to radicalisation, support is available through our safeguarding processes. Concerns can be raised with our designated Prevent lead at preventlead@soas.ac.uk.

If there is an immediate risk to safety, contact security or emergency services.