A telephone hotline intended to help deradicalize young Muslims in Austria will launch in December, according to an interview with Family Affairs minister Sophie Karmasin of the conservative Austrian People’s Party (ÖVP).
Details of the service, including funding are still being worked out, said the minister on Austria’s state media channel ORF on Sunday.
Karmasin confirmed that her ministry was developing the service that should help radicalized young Muslims living in Austria, as well as their families. In the coming weeks, she will be working with the Interior Ministry and Boje, the non-profit established to help children and young people in crisis situations.
The ultimate aim is to ensure that the operation is set up in a fully professional manner. Currently, the launch is planned for December, but may be delayed to January if required.
The minister expects the Austrian provinces to be consulted. The service is expected to be multi-lingual, to ensure that non-German speakers are also adequately supported.
The Network for Social Cohesion, a non-profit that attempts to reduce radicalization among young Muslims, is also likely to be involved.