ASIO recently raised the country’s threat level from possible to probable because more people are accessing VE content or subscribing to VE ideology. Director General Mike Burgess speaks of a 'disturbing resurgence' in youth terror cases in the national threat assessment. At the social media summit of late 2024 he said that "all" of the nation's most recent terror cases "were allegedly perpetrated by young people", including one as young as 14. 20 per cent of ASIO's priority counter-terrorism cases involve minors. Social media and digital technologies are fuelling threats to national security. Violent misogynist and violent extremist propaganda is a growing problem. National security and law enforcement call for collective action.
Young Australians become involved in extremism due to a confluence of factors that interact to augment their susceptibility to recruitment and radicalisation. This is contingent upon existing vulnerabilities, such as trauma and adverse experiences, cognitive and developmental impairment, mental health, home and school environment, and family dysfunction. These intersecting vulnerabilities may render some young people more susceptible to recruitment approaches.
This presentation will cover what defines violent extremism, what are the vulnerabilities and early warning signs and what can we do as a community to support our youth.
Heather Jackson will discuss the Engagement and Support Units early intervention and awareness programs and the National roll out of Step Together under Home Affairs as of July 1 2025 and what this means for support for young people and families in regional and remote parts of Australia. One of our senior psychologists from the team will unpack a youth case study and provide practical tips and takeaways for practitioners and community members for dealing with this vulnerable cohort.