Independent report

Predicting harm among incels (involuntary celibates)

This is the largest survey of incels to-date, taken across the UK and the US. It explores their demographics, beliefs, networks and propensity to violence.

From:
Commission for Countering Extremism
Published
15 February 2024
Last updated
22 May 2024 — See all updates

Documents

Predicting harm among incels (involuntary celibates): the roles of mental health, ideological belief and social networking (accessible)

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Predicting harm among incels (involuntary celibates): the roles of mental health, ideological belief and social networking

PDF, 539 KB, 49 pages

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Press release: 'Incels' need mental health support rather than a counter terrorism intervention, the world’s largest study of incels finds (accessible)

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Press release: 'Incels' need mental health support rather than a counter terrorism intervention, the world’s largest study of incels finds

PDF, 192 KB, 2 pages

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Details

Predicting Harm Among Incels - Robin Simcox talks to Dr Joe Whittaker about the report’s findings

The Commission for Countering Extremism commissioned Swansea University Research on the Incel Community (SURIC) to produce this report. The report identifies a complex relationship between mental health, a shared worldview and the social networking of involuntary celibate communities.

This report highlights:

  • ‘incel’ networks generate a sense of community and belonging
  • they share a worldview connected by misogyny and victimhood
  • there is an important mental health dimension to ‘incel’ networks including depression and suicidal thoughts
Published 15 February 2024
Last updated 22 May 2024 + show all updates

  1. We were notified of an error in the report and the accompanying press release and have amended them accordingly. The report originally stated that “1 in 3 incels contemplated suicide every day for the past two weeks”. This figure has now been amended to “1 in 5”.

  2. First published.