Understanding violent extremism

It exists along a spectrum from passive support to active promotion of violence towards ideological goals.

People become radicalised and then extremists for many reasons. The causes are complex and unique to every individual. A desire for social connection is often a driver. As societal pressures on people are increased, or a lack of connection grows, a terror event is effectively an overspill.

What is Countering Violent Extremism?

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 violent extremism by providing early intervention and support to individuals to address social, psychological or behavioural issues. It also focusses on building community cohesion, resilience and preparedness.

Step Together's primary focus is on diverting individuals away from violent extremism through early intervention, awareness and education. Australia wide intervention programs also support individuals in disengaging from violent extremism if they are already subject to this negative influence.

Why Language Matters in Countering Extremism

It is important to consider the language used when discussing violent extremism as language shapes perception, trust, and engagement. It also frames how we understand a problem and can influence a response or call to action.

Considered language is not just about political correctness—it is a strategic tool that enhances credibility, engagement, and impact while minimising potential risk.

Key terms and definitions

The terminology used can have various interpretations and can differ between jurisdictions. For consistency, we refer to definitions as set out in Australia’s Counter – Terrorism and Violent Extremism Strategy 2025.

See below for key terms and definitions relating to violent extremism:

• Ideologically motivated violent extremism: Denotes support for violence to achieve political outcomes or in response to a specific political or social grievance. It includes nationalist, racist, anarchist, misogynist and revolutionary motivations, and grievances related to a specific issue.
• Intervention program: Programs designed to disengage individuals from a path of violent extremism or terrorism, and reintegrate them into their community through individualised support such as physical and mental health programs, community integration programs, and mentorship.
• Pathways to violent extremism: The process by which an individual or group becomes willing to perpetrate acts of violence, including terrorism, under a belief that the violence is justified to achieve social, political or legal outcomes.
• Politically motivated violence: Acts or threats of violence or unlawful harm that are intended or likely to achieve a political objective, whether in Australia or elsewhere, including acts or threats carried out for the purpose of influencing the policy or acts of a government, whether in Australia or elsewhere;

or acts that involve violence or are intended or are likely to involve or lead to violence (whether by the persons who carry out those acts or by other persons); and are directed to overthrowing or destroying, or assisting in the overthrow or destruction of, the government or the constitutional system of government of the Commonwealth or of a state or territory.

• Radicalisation: When a person’s thinking and behaviour become significantly different from how most of the members of their society and community view social issues and participate politically, and the person begins to justify, advocate, promote, or use violence to achieve a political, religious or ideological goal.
• Intervention programs: Programs designed to disengage individuals from a path of violent extremism or terrorism, and reintegrate them into their community through individualised support such as physical and mental health programs, community integration programs, and mentorship.
• Religiously motivated violent extremism*: Denotes support for violence to oppose or achieve a specific social, political or legal system based on a religious interpretation.

*Extremists can also adopt elements of both religious and ideological beliefs, which can motivate them to justify acts of violence. 7 Mixed, unclear and unstable ideologies: ideological motivations that are less tied to a single, clear and coherent ideology and may be fluid/unstable, mixed/hybrid or unclear.

• Terrorist act: Under the Criminal Code Act 1995 (Cth), a terrorist act is an act, or a threat to act, that is done to advance a political, religious or ideological cause with the intention of:

• Either:
  • intimidating the public or a section of the public, or
  • coercing, or influencing by intimidation, any government, and
• which causes one or more of the following:
  • death, serious harm or endangers the life of a person,
  • serious damage to property,
  • a serious risk to the health or safety of the public,
  • a serious interference with, disruption to, or destruction of critical infrastructure such as a telecommunications or electricity network.

• Violent extremism: Acts of or support for violence to achieve social, political or legal outcomes or in response to specific political or social grievances.