already influenced by violent extremism. Like other forms of crime prevention, the aim of these activities is to help people get their lives back on track. The focus is not on individuals who hold unconventional beliefs; rather, it is on those who are radicalised, or at-risk of radicalisation, to violent extremism. The most effective defence against terrorism is What are we doing to stop radicalisation to prevent people from becoming terrorists in to violent extremism? the first place. To prevent individuals becoming or remaining There is no one process or pathway to radicalised, Australian governments are radicalisation to violent extremism. The exact working with communities to: combination of causes and drivers are unique Address the drivers of radicalisation: to each individual. The common element in the building the resilience of communities to process, however, is exposure to a violent violent extremism. extremist ideology (see Chapter 1: Challenging Assist at-risk individuals: supporting the Violent Extremist Ideologies for more diversion of individuals at risk of radicalisation information). to violent extremism when possible. Rehabilitate violent extremists when Family, friends and communities are the possible. frontline in stopping people from becoming terrorists. Australian governments support local communities in this endeavour by Addressing drivers of radicalisation providing training and resources. The common element in radicalisation is Efforts to prevent radicalisation focus on exposure to violent extremist ideology. Our addressing what makes people vulnerable to approach to challenging this ideology is violent extremist influences and terrorist covered in Chapter: 1 Challenging Violent recruitment. The tools used include drivers, such as Extremist Ideologies. individually-tailored programmes that support social isolation, a longing for a sense of the diversion of individuals at risk of purpose or belonging, longterm radicalisation to violent extremism and unemployment, criminality, or perceived programmes to deradicalise and rehabilitate political grievances, may also contribute. individuals. Individuals within a cohesive community one – In addition to challenging violent extremist that values respect, individual freedoms, ideologies, Australian governments and democracy and the rule of law may be more – communities are also working together to resilient to violent extremist ideology. improve social cohesion, identify and divert atrisk individuals, and deradicalise those
The most effective defence against terrorism is to prevent people from becoming terrorists in the first place. There is no one process or pathway to radicalisation to violent extremism. The exact combination of causes and drivers are unique to each individual. The common element in the process, however, is exposure to a violent extremist ideology (see Chapter 1: Challenging Violent Extremist Ideologies for more information). Family, friends and communities are the frontline in stopping people from becoming terrorists. Australian governments support local communities in this endeavour by providing training and resources. Efforts to prevent radicalisation focus on addressing what makes people vulnerable to violent extremist influences and terrorist recruitment. The tools used include individually-tailored programmes that support the diversion of individuals at risk of radicalisation to violent extremism and programmes to deradicalise and rehabilitate individuals. In addition to challenging violent extremist ideologies, Australian governments and communities are also working together to improve social cohesion, identify and divert atrisk individuals, and deradicalise those already influenced by violent extremism. Like other forms of crime prevention, the aim of these activities is to help people get their lives back on track. The focus is not on individuals who hold unconventional beliefs; rather, it is on those who are radicalised, or at-risk of radicalisation, to violent extremism. What are we doing to stop radicalisation to violent extremism? To prevent individuals becoming or remaining radicalised, Australian governments are working with communities to: Address the drivers of radicalisation: building the resilience of communities to violent extremism. Assist at-risk individuals: supporting the diversion of individuals at risk of radicalisation to violent extremism when possible. Rehabilitate violent extremists when possible. Addressing drivers of radicalisation The common element in radicalisation is exposure to violent extremist ideology. Our approach to challenging this ideology is covered in Chapter: 1 Challenging Violent Extremist Ideologies. drivers, such as social isolation, a longing for a sense of purpose or belonging, longterm unemployment, criminality, or perceived political grievances, may also contribute. Individuals within a cohesive community – one that values respect, individual freedoms, democracy and the rule of law – may be more resilient to violent extremist ideology.