Will the New Terror Prevention Hotline Work?
The Australian Government has launched a new Helpline called Step Together. Designed for those who are worried that loved one’s may be at risk of radicalisation and violent extremism, counsellors will issue support to relatives on how to prevent a loved one turning to Terrorism, and if appropriate, report information to counter-terrorism authorities.
The measure was announced more than 18 months ago as part of a suite of measures responding to the fatal shooting of police employee Curtis Cheng by a 15 year old jihadist in Parramatta. Given the omnipresent nature of Terror attacks around the world at the moment, this preventive measure certainly seems timely, but will it facilitate any tangible effects?
The Daily discussed this with Lise Waldek lecturer at the Department of Security Studies and Criminology at Macquarie University.
