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About us
Step Together is there to support community members and help overcome the challenge of violent extremism.
Who we are
The NSW Engagement and Support Unit (ESU) was established in 2020 to strengthen and improve service delivery and coordination of Countering Violent Extremism (CVE) interventions, and provide practical support to at-risk clients, families, friends and community organisations.
These early intervention and support measures limit the risk of involvement in violent extremism through diversion, disengagement and awareness raising efforts.
Working in conjunction with all Australian states and territories, Step Together is operated by the ESU and funded by the Commonwealth Home Affairs.
What is Step Together
Step Together is a helpline and digital support service. Our focus is on early intervention and awareness in the countering violent extremism space. We are there to support community members and help overcome the challenge of violent extremism.
We work with individuals, families, stakeholders and the community to raise awareness on what to look out for and where to go for help if you are concerned about someone you know heading down the wrong path.
Australia is a welcoming and connected society. One which respects the different views, backgrounds and cultures that make us stronger. However, there is a small number of people vulnerable to violent extremist views that need our support. Together we seek to overcome all forms of violent extremism so that every person living in Australia feels safe and has a place.
If you have concerns for someone that may be vulnerable to this influence, Step Together assists in navigating the landscape and helps you start the conversation. In a safe and confidential space, we connect you with appropriate support services in your community and offer solutions for those you care about, for a better pathway.
Community engagement
Government agencies are working together every day by conducting a broad range of programs and activities that address the constantly evolving violent extremist threat landscape.
Building capacity within our communities to guard against the threat of violent extremism is a big priority. Early intervention efforts, education, and support at a local level requires a multi layered approach and collaboration with all states and territories.
Community engagement is essential for influencing community attitudes and understanding; and encouraging a whole of nation response for early intervention. This grass roots awareness raising builds trust, fosters resilience, and encourages local voices to identify and address early signs of radicalisation and be confident in knowing where to go for help.
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We are working to raise awareness and address the concepts surrounding Violent Extremism through community engagement. Community safety is our goal.
Community engagementWe are working to raise awareness and address the concepts surrounding Violent Extremism through community engagement. Community safety is our goal.
Transcript(Uplifting acoustic music plays. The video opens with a scene of people an RUOK? Day expo with market umbrellas and colourful gazebos)
Text over moving image: "Community Engagement Helping Counter Violent Extremism"
Montage of exhibitor and attendee close ups.
Speaker 1 voice over: We have to work together to provide the option for a better pathway and a future.
Speaker 1 piece to camera: Our community engagement work that we do right across Australia is about more than just raising awareness for our intervention programs.
(Cut to montage footage of Step Together stall with close ups of merchandise and brochures and Step Together staff talking to patrons and open day entertainment with guitar.)
Speaker 1 voice over: It's also about educating our communities on exactly what violent extremism is. And this in turn helps to demystify the concepts and stigmas surrounding it.
We're really trying to debunk that head in the sand mentality or mindset where people think we don't have that around here. This isn't happening in our area when we in fact know that it is. And equally in the regional areas, as in the metro areas.
(Cut to montage footage of Step Together community engagement presentation to stakeholders and university campus staff. Attendees nod in interest and engage with the QR code function on their phones to actively participate.)
Speaker 1 voice over: What we're seeing is vulnerable people and especially vulnerable youth. They've come from troubled homes, experienced trauma, normalised violence in the home.
There's a multitude of needs that have to be addressed, and they're really seeking that connection or that sense of belonging. And we have to work together to provide the option for a better pathway and a future working together towards a safer community.
(Cut to montage of exhibitor stalls and RUOK? Day bunting, presentation participants looking at our Step Together and ESP brochures, Step Together staff greeting attendees and shaking hands. Cut to other stakeholder stall holders at the event, people walking and interacting with stalls.)
Speaker 1 voice over: We are happy to come and talk to you, bridge the gap and inform parents, support workers connecting with local communities and services, educators and practitioners about the vulnerabilities of violent extremism. We need to start communicating and be more aware. We need to know and understand the signs and to know the supports available in this space.
Speaker 1 piece to camera: As a community, collectively, we really need to just start the conversation.
(Fade to black screen. Step Together logo bottom in the middle of the screen.)
Text on Screen: Contact Step Together Community Engagement on 1800 875 204.
www.steptogether.gov.au
contact@steptogether.gov.au
Australian Government logo at the bottom of the screen centred.
End of transcript.
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Learn more about how national programs can provide critical intervention support.
Support and guidance for all the familyLearn more about how national programs can provide critical intervention support.
Transcript(Close up of the back of a womans head as she walks forward on grass moving tattooed hands)
Text of moving image: ESP SPOTLIGHT: ROSA
Rosa voice over: ESP has been a lifesaver for us.
Not just my grandson, but my husband and myself.
The last couple of years have been hell, and, yeah, without them, I don't think we would've survived.
I really don't.
(Screen goes black. A boiling kettle can be heard. It changes to a close up of a kettle and Rosa's hands making a cup of tea.)
Rosa voice over: My grandson as a child was, well, in his early days, very happy and into everything. I guess he was a little bit different, hyperactive and all that sort of thing, but everybody said, "Oh, he's just a normal boy."
(Montage of Rosa's silhouette sitting on a lounge in front windows and close ups of the silhouette of Rosa's head.)
Rosa voice over: It was about him doing what he wanted to do and not worrying about any consequences, I guess.
(Close up of Rosa's hands making a cup of tea and the back of Rosa's head as she takes the tea out to the balcony.)
Rosa voice over: He was just, like, nothing mattered.
No respect, and he had no fear, which in itself is a huge problem. And that was how we first came to know that he had a problem.
Text on black slide: Rosa’s grandson Tom was identified in 2021 as a person vulnerable to right wing violent extremism.
New black slide: This was due to his reported use and interest in extreme right-wing language and weaponry.
New black slide: Tom had a challenging upbringing and was residing with his maternal grandparents when he joined ESP.
(Montage of Rosa from behind as she drinks the tea and eats while standing on the balcony.)
Rosa voice over: He went to school and things became a little bit more difficult. He wouldn't conform.
He was bullied, all that sort of thing. Very hard to deal with.
(Montage of Rosa's silhouette sitting on a lounge in front windows.)
Rosa voice over: He'd actually come from a primary school where he was in a special unit, and when he went to high school, he was put into mainstream. High school was, yeah, it was the turning point and it was just a nightmare for him.
(Montage of Rosa from behind as she drinks the tea while standing on the balcony.)
Rosa voice over: Too many people, too many different personalities who couldn't cope with his differences. A few times, he was sort of cornered in the playground and not treated too well.
Text on black slide: Tom has been diagnosed with ASD, ADHD and ODD.
(Montage of Rosa sitting at a table outside with her tea, eating a biscuit, looking at magazines and doing the crossword.)
Rosa voice over: He was diagnosed in primary school, oppositional defiance disorder. That was a big thing and all the questionnaires that we had to fill out, his teachers had to fill out, everything said the same thing. So that was one part of it. And the ADHD was another.
(Montage of Rosa's silhouette sitting on a lounge in front windows.)
Rosa voice over: But at the school that he went to, they tended to not treat him...like he had this condition or they didn't know how, I would say. So he was more or less sat in a corner and there were occasions when they made him sit with his back to the classroom,
(Montage of Rosa sitting at a table outside with her tea, eating a biscuit, looking at magazines and doing the crossword.)
Rosa voice over: which is really, really bad.
He wouldn't talk to us. He kept everything to himself.
Text on black slide: School was hard for Tom, and he experienced significant behavioural issues.
New black slide: He was expelled for engaging in threats, and violence involving weapons towards other students.
New black slide: There were concerns about the possible intention to develop and use an explosive device on his school and he was reportedly fascinated with Nazism and Brenton Tarrant.
New black slide: Tom also has a reported history of self-harming behaviour and is socially isolated.
(Montage of Rosa walking along a riverbank)
Rosa voice over: When we joined the program, ESP, in 2021, I had never heard of it, and it was just a phone call from someone who introduced themselves.
(Close up of Rosa's silhouette sitting on a lounge in front windows.)
Rosa voice over: "Oh, case manager for your grandson," and explained a little bit what it was about. So, you know, "Are you interested?" So we of course said yes, and from there, they came up to visit.
(Montage of Rosa looking out at the river and walking along the riverbank.)
Rosa voice over: In terms of the work that my grandson's done over the last couple of years with ESP, he's come out of his shell a little bit. He'll actually talk to people, which he wouldn't do before.
He'd just sort of grunt or say, "Mm." He's happy to go out and do things with them, just be normal really.
All these pro-social activities have actually helped him come towards more social activities and a better lifestyle. He's certainly come a long way now from what he was.
He actually managed to get his driver's licence, which is good, and that was helped by his case manager. She took him along to that a couple of times. Just interacting with his driving instructor as well, which was really good.
(Montage of Rosa's silhouette sitting on a lounge in front windows and close ups of the silhouette of Rosa's head.)
Rosa voice over: I don't think he would've made any progress without ESP. We were floundering. We didn't know what to do and they just, yeah, pointed us in the right direction.
(Montage of Rosa looking out at the calm river and walking along the riverbank as well as a bird playing in the water and shots of the water passing by.)
Rosa voice over: ESP has been a lifesaver for us, my grandson, but my husband and myself.
Anything that we didn't know, needed to find out, they've gone above and beyond really to find out what we needed to know and to help us.
The last couple of years have been hell and, yeah, without them, I don't think we would've survived.
I really don't.
(Montage of Rosa's silhouette sitting on a lounge in front windows and close ups of the silhouette of Rosa's head.)
Rosa voice over: My advice to anyone who's been contacted or knows about the ESP program is to go with it, definitely. They are so helpful. There's no judgement.
(Montage of looking at the small ripples on the river and of Rosa standing on a jetty looking out at the calm river.)
Rosa voice over: Don't be afraid. Just jump in and take the help that you can get from ESP.
They're absolutely wonderful.
Text on black slide: Contact ESP on: 1800 203 966
esp@dcj.nsw.gov.au
End of transcript.
What are National Programs
Step Together connects individuals, families, and communities with appropriate local support programs that help those at risk, or are vulnerable to engaging with violent extremism.
These early intervention programs work with individuals and families to address the challenge of violent extremism, by building on positive supports and resilience”
Frequently asked questions
What is violent extremism?
Violent extremism is a willingness to use unlawful violence, or support the use of unlawful violence by others, to promote a political, ideological or religious goal. It exists along a spectrum from passive support to active promotion of violence towards ideological goals.
There are a number of reasons people become radicalised and then extremists, and the causes are complex and unique to every individual. There is no one pathway to violent extremism although it’s often set in motion through a desire for social connection.
The presence of online social commentary on world events such as COVID-19 means many more people are being exposed to a growing range of extremist views. COVID-19 in particular has heightened and broadened the spread of violent extremist views and created a disconnect between some communities. Individuals and groups have exploited the fear, isolation and economic hardship individuals would have felt during COVID-19 to promote their ideological cause.
During COVID-19 there was a significant increase in screen time among our vulnerable youth. This exposure is worrying due to the ongoing debate surrounding the link between extremist content and acts of violence or the potential for recruitment in unmonitored online spaces. The reach and influence has never been greater.
Learn more about Violent extremism.
What is Countering Violent Extremism (CVE)?
Countering Violent Extremism (CVE) works to reduce the risk of politically, ideologically or religiously motivated violence. CVE is distinct from, but also complements, law enforcement approaches.
CVE aims to reduce the likelihood of violent extremism by providing early intervention and support to individuals to address social, psychological or behavioural issues. It also aims to reduce the harmful consequences of violent extremism for society more broadly by building community cohesion and preparedness.
Step Togethers primary focus is on diverting individuals away from violent extremism. We also support individuals in disengaging from violent extremism if they have already headed down that path.
Unlike “deradicalisation” programs, we don’t argue ideology or police thought, but support individuals to move towards safe and healthy life pathways.
Learn more about Violent extremism.
Advice and support
If you would like further advice and support on how best to help someone you care about, contact our Step Together helpline workers.
The Department of Home Affairs and the NSW Department of Communities and Justice acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of Country throughout Australia and their continuing connection to land, sea and community. We pay our respects to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, their cultures and to their Elders past and present.
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