Travis D. Frain
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Travis D. Frain | |
|---|---|
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| Born | 1998 Darwen, Lancashire |
| Nationality | England |
| Alma mater | Edge Hill University |
| Occupation | Counter-extremism campaigner |
Travis Dylan Frain OBE BCA (born 1998) is an English counter-extremism campaigner from Lancashire, who survived the 2017 Westminster Bridge terrorist attack. After recovering from injuries sustained in the attack, he became an advocate for victims of terrorism globally and an activist fighting against violent extremism.
Early life and education
Frain was born in Darwen, Lancashire,[1] in 1998 and lived there throughout his childhood.
He studied BA (Hons) History and Politics at Edge Hill University,[1] and was later awarded an MA in International and Military History from Lancaster University. He is conducting doctoral research at the University of Central Lancashire.
During his undergraduate studies at Edge Hill University, Frain travelled to London on a study trip with course-mates organised by the university.[2] Whilst on the trip, he and his friends were injured when they were hit by a vehicle driven by an Islamist terrorist, Khalid Masood. Masood had mounted the pavement at the south side of Westminster Bridge and begun targeting pedestrians with his vehicle before crashing into the gates outside Parliament and proceeding on foot with knives. The attacker killed five people, and injured over fifty. Frain suffered significant injuries, though not life-threatening, including multiple fractures in his left hand and leg,[1] and lacerations across the body.[3] He has described the incident as a formative experience which set him on a direct path to working in counterterrorism.[4]
Career
Over the years following the terrorist attack on Westminster Bridge, it has been reported that Frain has delivered counter-extremism workshops to over 100,000 young people across the United Kingdom with a goal to equip them with the skills to challenge extremism, and recognise the warning signs of radicalisation.[5] He has served across a number of roles within the British national security space, primarily across the Counter Terrorism Policing network. These include as an Advisor, Ambassador, and National Chair of their Counter Terrorism Youth Advisory Group.[6]
In January 2018, Frain was one of six British survivors of terrorism who co-founded the charity Survivors Against Terror in order to proactively campaign for improvements in state support provided to victims of terrorism and lobby Government for the requisite changes.[7]
In March 2021, Frain joined other survivors in campaigning for a plaque in commemoration of the event to be installed at Westminster Bridge.[8]
In November 2021, Frain founded the Resilience in Unity Project,[9][10] an organisation aimed at preventing the proliferation of online extremist content spread during the COVID19 Pandemic.[11] Their launch event was supported by The Countess of Wessex, General The Lord Dannatt, former Chief of the General Staff of the British Army, and Matt Jukes, Head of Counter Terrorism Policing. The Project records the testimonies of victims of terrorism worldwide and crafts these into counter-narrative resources that can be used by schools, colleges, and other interested parties to raise awareness of the impacts of violent extremism on those most intimately affected. They also organise events and discussions to enable survivors of terrorism with opportunities to become involved in counterterrorism work should they wish to do so.
As a result of his work, he has been called upon as an expert by the Council of Europe,[12] United Nations, and the UK Parliament,[13] and has given statements at several of their conferences.
Frain has also voiced support for several charities operating within the space of emergency preparedness and resilience-building. He serves as a Patron for the RAPAID[14], a charity distributing emergency bleed-control kits to forms of black cab taxis and crowded places, and serves as an Advisor to the National Emergencies Trust[15], a charity with the patronage of The Prince of Wales, that collates and distributes public fundraising to those worst affected in the event of a domestic emergency or disaster.
Currently, Frain serves as a Lecturer at the University of Salford, teaching recruits joining Greater Manchester Police on the degree-holder entry (DHEP) and Degree Apprenticeship (PCDA) programmes.[5]
Honours and Awards
Frain was nominated for a National Crimebeat Award by the High Sheriff of Lancashire, Edwin Booth, in 2022.[16] He received second place, and was presented with the award by the serving Commissioner of the Police of the Metropolis, Dame Cressida Dick QPM.
In 2023, Frain was included on the British Citizen Award Roll of Honour and was entitled to use the postnominals of 'BCA' in recognition of the award after being presented with his medal at a ceremony in the House of Lords.[17][18][19]
Frain was appointed an Officer of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (OBE) by King Charles III in his 2024 New Years' Honours List for services to counter-extremism and to victims of terrorism.[20][10]
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 "London attack: Student 'hit head-on' by car on Westminster Bridge". BBC News. 2017-03-23. Retrieved 2024-01-02.
- ↑ "Time to Talk Day | Westminster Bridge survivor shares his story". Counter Terrorism Policing. 2022-02-03. Retrieved 2024-01-02.
- ↑ "Travis Frain on surviving Westminster attack". Channel 4 News. 2017-04-30. Retrieved 2024-01-02.
- ↑ "Westminster attack survivor inspired to stamp out hate". BBC News. 2023-01-26. Retrieved 2024-01-02.
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 "Lecturer and Counter Terrorism Campaigner receives OBE in New Year Honours". University of Salford. Retrieved 2024-01-02.
- ↑ L, Chris (2023-12-29). "King's New Year Honours list acknowledges UK counter terrorism efforts". Counter Terrorism Policing. Retrieved 2024-01-02.
- ↑ "Survivors and relatives form group to 'defeat terror at source'". Arab News. Retrieved 2024-01-02.
- ↑ "Westminster Bridge terror attack: 'Victims can be too often forgotten'". BBC. 2021-03-22. Retrieved 2024-01-02.
- ↑ "The Resilience in Unity Project". The Resilience in Unity Project. Retrieved 2024-01-02.
- ↑ 10.0 10.1 "New Year Honours 2024: Westminster terror attack survivor honoured". BBC News. 2023-12-29. Retrieved 2024-01-02.
- ↑ "Westminster Bridge terror attack: Survivor launches counter radicalisation plan". BBC News. 2021-11-05. Retrieved 2024-01-02.
- ↑ Karamanli, Marietta (22 May 2018). "London terror attack victim tells parliamentarians: 'I was treated with indifference'". Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe.
- ↑ Frain, Travis. "Written evidence from Travis D. Frain (VAPB0005)". committees.parliament.uk.
- ↑ "Hundreds of London black cabs to carry military grade bandages used by Armed Forces". ITVX. 26 April 2023.
- ↑ "Travis Frain". nationalemergenciestrust.org.uk. Retrieved 2024-01-02.
- ↑ Booth, Edwin (15 March 2022). "Tweets by the High Sheriff of Lancashire". Twitter.
- ↑ Niall (2023-02-02). "Terror attack survivor receives British Citizen Award | News | EHU". Edge Hill University. Retrieved 2024-01-02.
- ↑ "Honours January 2023". The British Citizen Award. Retrieved 2024-01-02.
- ↑ "Westminster attack survivor inspired to stamp out hate". BBC. 2023-01-26. Retrieved 2024-01-02.
- ↑ "Travis FRAIN | Order of the British Empire | The Gazette". www.thegazette.co.uk. Retrieved 2024-01-02.
External links
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