A Wee Chat About Justice

How do we get people to choose to desist from crime? To be ready to change? Can people be 'worn down with kindness'? In this episode, we continue talking to Dr Debra Smith from the AVERT Research Network and Lise Waldek from Macquarie University about their research based on unprecedented access to those who have participated in an Islamist terrorism rehabilitation program in Australia. The team discuss the ethical challenges, the idea of assessing the person in risk assessment, how we can become more resilient, and what might be the next steps for work in this area. Find out more about the work of the RMA: www.rma.scot

Find out more about AVERT Research Network: AVERT Research Network

In this episode we speak to two highly experienced experts, Dr Debra Smith from the AVERT Research Network and Lise Waldek from Macquarie University. We discuss their latest research which represents the most comprehensive analysis of any countering-violent extremism program in Australia and is based on unprecedented access to those who have participated inan Islamist terrorism rehabilitation program. The team also discuss similarities and differences in the UK and Australia's approach to counter-terrorism and counter-violent extremism, such as the growing awareness of far-right extremism and the increasing availability of content on the internet, and consider some of the challenges this presents. This is the first part of a two-part episode.

Find out more about the work of the RMA: www.rma.scot

Can specialist offence courts help improve the experience of victims and witnesses in the Scottish justice system, and could this initiative encourage and empower more people to share their experiences? The Victims, Witnesses and Justice Reform (Scotland) Bill was introduced in April 2023 and proposes that there should be a specialist sexual offences court in Scotland. In this episode, recorded in 2024, we discuss the potential impacts of this - how it would work where an individual has multiple convictions for different crimes, what are the aims of the specialist courts and what do we really mean by 'specialist'? We also consider how the court experience could be improved for those involved in the justice system, including trauma-informed approaches and practical steps. Features Chartered Psychologists & Registered Forensic Psychologists Geoff Tordzro-Taylor (RMA Head of Development) and Debbie Campbell (Head of OLR) and our Development Lead, Forensic Psychologist in training, Rachel Webb. For more information on the work of the Risk Management Authority see: www.rma.scot Follow us on Bluesky: rmascotland.bluesky.social

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Futher Reading: Victims, Witnesses and Justice Reform (Scotland) Bill: https://www.parliament.scot/bills-and-laws/bills/s6/victims-witnesses-and-justice-reform-scotland-bill

RMA Standards and Guidelines: https://www.rma.scot/standards-guidelines/