Countering violent extremism in Australia

In response to Islamic State's call to its followers to export violence to Western countries, low technology, high impact, violent extremist events have been on the rise around the world and are hard to pre-empt and prevent. Australia has in place various programmes to counter violent extremism that stress early identification and intervention, disengagement from violence and deradicalisation from extremism, and the promotion of social cohesion and resilience. Dr Droogan describes this countering violent extremism (CVE) approach and its strengths and weaknesses. A study of a violent extremist incident in New South Wales found the society was highly resilient. It has led to a state focus in New South Wales on strengthening community partnerships to further enhance that resilience.