Among the more frightening elements of the world we inhabit is the ever-evolving set of extremist ideologies that give rise to justifications for violence. Terrorism is perhaps the clearest example of such violence, but workplace attacks are also increasingly likely to be ideologically motivated. To prevent or manage the risk of incidents, employers must take a proactive approach to spotting radicalization of all kinds. It is therefore important for them to understand the potential threat of “incel” culture, an emerging extremist ideology rooted in anger at women and driven by a furious sense of entitlement.

Incel Culture and Links to Violence

Originating in a variety of internet forums, incel ideology is expressed and furthered by a group of men who believe that they are and will always be unable to attain sexual intimacy and love. Incels—shorthand for involuntary celibates—blame this perceived failure on society and on the women who, they argue, refuse to give them the time of day.

Not all individuals within this largely online movement believe in violence, and many are simply attention-seekers, but multiple attacks have been linked to incel culture. In April 2018, Alek Minassian killed ten and injured fifteen when he drove down a Toronto sidewalk in a rental van. Prior to the attack, Minassian had posted on Facebook that the “Incel Rebellion has already begun!” In 2014, Elliot Rodger—an idol within the incel movement who was praised by Minassian in his Facebook post—went on a shooting spree resulting in six deaths and 14 injuries. Rodger had made a series of videos outlining his despair at being alone, his desire to possess a woman, and his self-perceived magnificence. While his YouTube channel has since been taken down, supporters can still find the videos and read his memoir, My Twisted World, online.

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