Operation Jusan in Year 4: Understanding and Addressing Present and Future Needs

This is an independent report that was not directly funded by CREST. Its findings are relevant to the Trauma, Adversity & Violent Extremism project.

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The data gathered includes a survey of 104 women and two workshops with women beneficiaries and practitioners.   

We found that most women reported making excellent progress in their reintegration and rehabilitation, but for some women there were reported weaknesses in terms of housing and financial needs, career opportunities, children being bullied at school, children not at age-appropriate grades, parenting challenges, difficulty with husbands transitioning out of prison, and need for trauma mental health care.

Priority challenges include: Mothers with high burdens and inadequate support; Jusan children becoming teenagers; Husbands' release from prison, and; Children not finding school or job success. 

We conclude that exiting violent extremist conflict involves changing ideology, but also  much more. There is a need for an explicit theory of change with measurable outcomes to guide policymakers and practitioners. Practitioners need to develop a deeper awareness of trauma, triggers, behavioral consequences, avoiding retraumatisation and promoting recovery and resilience.

Priorities for future programming include: Support and treatment for women and children with mental health and behavioral challenges; Comprehensive support for families with disabled or medically ill children; Identify and support children not succeeding in school; Assist in the transition from prison to community for the subset of women convicted of crimes on return. 

Following the success of repatriation and initial re-integration, we recommend that government and non-governmental stakeholders in Kazakhstan formulate a “Jusan 3.0” which centers on the formation of a national network of local practitioners in municipalities, including trained peer providers.  The aims can include: Providing trauma-informed mental health care and support to mothers and children;  Supporting emerging adolescents and young adults; Supporting families experiencing father’s prison release. Activities can include:

1. Building a network of multidisciplinary practitioners;
2. Providing training for individual practitioners and service organisations;
3. Producing and sharing practice guides;
4. Producing briefs for policymakers, and;
5. Providing training and support for peer practitioners.