At Parents for Peace, we understand that extremism isn’t just a political or security issue—it’s a deeply personal crisis that affects entire families. Every day, our helpline rings with parents, spouses, and loved ones desperate to pull someone back from the grip of hate. And every day, we listen, advise, and support families through one of the most difficult challenges they may ever face.
NBC News recently featured our work, highlighting the urgent need for intervention and the vital role families play in preventing radicalization. As our Executive Director, Myrieme Churchill, shared in the report, “Hate is really addictive. People self-medicate with hate the same way they self-medicate with drugs.” Our team has seen this firsthand—many who fall into extremist ideologies are seeking identity, belonging, and purpose, only to be manipulated by movements that thrive on division and fear.
A Crisis That’s Growing
Our helpline was already busy before the pandemic, but after COVID-19 and the events of January 6th, calls surged. “We thought it would kill us,” Churchill recalls. “We didn’t have the capacity, but we had to take every single call. The helpline was just hot, hot, hot.” More people than ever—across political, religious, and ideological spectrums—are being drawn into hate-based movements, leaving families searching for answers.
Interventions That Work
The story of Chris Buckley, one of our intervention specialists, illustrates the power of personal transformation. A former KKK member, Chris once trained other extremists for violence. His journey out of hate began when his wife gave him an ultimatum, and an ex-white supremacist reached out to help him disengage. Now, Chris is on the other side of the fight—using his experience to help others find their way out.
When a woman called our helpline worried about her husband’s growing extremism, it was Chris who spoke with her. “If only I could get my husband in the same room with him,” she thought. “This is what might be able to reach him better.” It’s a sentiment we hear often: people trapped in hate need to see a way out from someone who has walked that path before.
Why Families Are Key
The role of families in this work cannot be overstated. As Myrieme explains, “We’re guiding families to be first responders.” Parents for Peace equips loved ones with communication strategies, dos and don’ts, and tools to navigate these painful conversations. “Don’t fact-check them. Don’t get into confrontation. Let’s look at the underlying issue that they’re not speaking about, but actually going via hate.”
The woman who called about her husband ultimately chose to separate from him, but her decision had an impact. “It was a shock to his system, but it’s having the effect I hoped for. He’s reaching out for help,” she shared. Stories like these reinforce what we know to be true: extremism is not inevitable, and it is possible to break free.
A Public Health Approach to Extremism
Parents for Peace remains committed to treating extremism as a public health issue—because radicalization doesn’t happen in a vacuum. It thrives in isolation, disillusionment, and despair. Our work is about addressing those root causes, providing alternatives, and ultimately, preventing violence before it happens.
If you or someone you know is struggling with extremism, call our confidential helpline: 1-844-49-PEACE. You are not alone, and there is a way forward—together.
Want to help us continue this vital work? Support Parents for Peace today by donating or sharing our resources with those who need them most.
