Following the devastating raids on the family home, many individuals go on to be charged under the Anti-Terrorism Act (2000 & 2008. The circumstances of each individual in this category may differ dependent upon the status of his case. He could be charged and awaiting trial on bail, on remand in prison, serving a prison sentence of anywhere between 3 years to life or living on license after having completed his sentence. Those individuals who are not in custody will be subjected to severe restrictions in freedom including electronic tags, curfews, prohibitions on interactions and technology.
However, it’s not just the charged individual whose life changes. In every case a family suffers too, financially and emotionally.
In many cases the family is ostracised by friends, relatives and the community at large. Tarnished with the terrorist label, they become isolated and vulnerable. Children have to deal with being bullied at school as well as separation from their father or brother. The mother is burdened with the responsibility of keeping a roof over the family’s head, paying the bills, putting food on the table and trying to fund and organise prison visits. This heavy duty is often completed to the detriment of the children, who don’t receive the high level of emotional support they now need. Visits to their loved one, travelling an average gruelling 200 miles per visit, may be few and far between due to financial and logistical issues. For those released on license, the trial is also far from over. Mentally unstable, tarnished as a terrorist and unequipped, reintegration into society and work is a daunting and difficult task.