## Preparation

The next stage is preparing the action. It makes no difference whether the act of violence is inspired by left-wing, right-wing or religious extremism or other violent ideology, a certain degree of preparation is needed. Even suicide requires some preparation (for example, acquiring enough medication for an overdose).

#### Farm

Breivik’s actions during the final period before the attacks seem to indicate a solid preparation. He moved to a farm outside Oslo to prepare the bomb. He told his friends and relatives that he was starting a new life as a farmer. It all turned out to be part of the plan…

#### Vulnerable person

So Breivik has arrived at the stage where he is seriously preparing an act of violence. This in itself is an offence. Let’s take a look at all the elements that could have played a part in the process up to this stage. Click on the figure to the right for an overview.

You see here a combination of psychosocial problems and grievances. When there are too few protective factors and too many risk factors in the life of someone like Breivik, certain trigger events can prompt the individual to move further down the pathway to violence. That is what happened in this case.