New South Wales’s approach to tackling violent extremism prioritizes preventing harmful actions over altering deeply held beliefs, a royal commission has heard. The state’s voluntary Engagement and Support Program (ESP) is designed to address vulnerabilities that lead individuals toward violent extremism, rather than attempting to deradicalize them, according to Heather Jackson, director of the Communities and Justice department.
Prioritizing Action Over Ideology
The ESP aims to support individuals and their families, with the primary goal of reducing the risk of involvement in violent extremism. This focus on behavior rather than belief was highlighted during testimony before the Royal Commission into Anti-Semitism and Social Cohesion. Commissioner Virginia Bell presented a hypothetical scenario: a young man who believed it was religiously permissible to kill non-Muslims. She questioned whether changing such a core belief was a necessary component of the program.
Ms. Jackson affirmed that in a democratic society, individuals are free to hold extreme beliefs. “People in a democratic country can hold a belief,” she stated. “The second act – the violence – is the particular issue.” This distinction means that a participant could potentially complete the program while still holding extremist views, such as white supremacy, provided they no longer pose a threat of violence.
Illustrating this point, Ms. Jackson shared an anecdote from an ESP graduate who, in his own words, maintained beliefs like “I still believe the white people are the master race, however, I don’t want to hurt anyone.” This statement underscores the program’s pragmatic approach: the ideological outcome is secondary to the cessation of violent activity.
Challenging Beliefs Indirectly
While the program does not mandate ideological change, Ms. Jackson clarified that participants’ beliefs are not entirely disregarded. These beliefs can still be challenged through mentoring and other tailored elements within their case plans. “In some ways, the ideological outcome doesn’t matter,” Ms. Jackson reiterated. The program’s effectiveness is more closely tied to understanding and addressing the underlying factors that contributed to an individual adopting such beliefs.
National Strategies for Counter-Terrorism
The royal commission also heard about broader national strategies aimed at preventing extremist violence. Brendan Dowling, national counter-terrorism co-ordinator, outlined several initiatives designed for intervention and prevention. These include the National Support and Intervention Program, Step Together, and the Diversions Australia pilot, alongside two programs that are no longer active.
Echoing the sentiment expressed by Ms. Jackson, Mr. Dowling emphasized that the primary objective of these national pathways is disengagement from violence. “We don’t set ourselves an aspiration to change the way somebody thinks, or to measure the success of our programs by changing… what someone’s beliefs are,” he explained. While acknowledging that cognitive change could be beneficial, the core mission remains focused on preventing individuals from engaging in and mobilizing towards violence.
Mr. Dowling’s appointment to his current role in May followed a recommendation from the royal commission’s interim report to make the position permanent, highlighting the ongoing importance of coordinated national efforts against extremism.
The Nuances of Deradicalization Programs
The distinction between addressing violent behavior and changing core beliefs is a critical one in the field of counter-extremism. Critics sometimes argue that programs failing to challenge underlying ideologies may not achieve long-term success, as individuals could revert to extremism if their core beliefs remain unchecked. However, proponents of the approach taken by the ESP argue that focusing on immediate risk reduction is more practical and achievable.
The rationale is that by addressing immediate triggers and vulnerabilities—such as social isolation, personal grievances, or exposure to extremist propaganda—individuals can be steered away from violence. This approach recognizes that deeply ingrained beliefs can be extremely difficult to alter, especially within the context of short-term intervention programs. The focus on disengagement from violence acknowledges that preventing harm is the most immediate and measurable outcome.
Expert Perspectives on Intervention
Experts in psychology and criminology often discuss the complexities of deradicalization. True ideological change can be a lengthy and profound process, often requiring intensive, long-term engagement. For programs operating with limited resources and timeframes, prioritizing the cessation of violent acts is seen as a more realistic and impactful goal. The ESP’s model suggests that by helping individuals reintegrate into society, find employment, and build positive relationships, the influence of extremist ideologies may naturally wane over time, even if not directly confronted.
The royal commission’s examination of these programs aims to assess their effectiveness and identify best practices for responding to the multifaceted challenge of violent extremism. The evidence presented suggests a strategic prioritization of public safety through behavioral intervention, while respecting the principles of freedom of belief within a democratic framework.
Conclusion: A Pragmatic Approach to Safety
The testimony before the Royal Commission into Anti-Semitism and Social Cohesion reveals a deliberate strategy within New South Wales’s extremist violence programs. By focusing on preventing violent actions rather than forcing ideological shifts, the Engagement and Support Program (ESP) seeks to mitigate immediate risks to the community. This approach, supported by national counter-terrorism efforts, prioritizes disengagement from violence as the key measure of success. While the challenge of deeply held extremist beliefs remains, the current strategy emphasizes practical interventions aimed at safeguarding the public and supporting individuals toward a non-violent path.
