Analysing and disrupting outlaw motorcycle gangs in Australia. This project aims to reveal the structure and social dynamics of co-offending networks by OMCGs in Australia. Outlaw motorcycle gangs (OMCGs) cause significant social and economic harm in Australia and internationally. The project will generate new knowledge about OMCG co-offending using an innovative multimethod approach combining social network analysis with interviews and focus groups. Expected outcomes include a deeper understand ....Analysing and disrupting outlaw motorcycle gangs in Australia. This project aims to reveal the structure and social dynamics of co-offending networks by OMCGs in Australia. Outlaw motorcycle gangs (OMCGs) cause significant social and economic harm in Australia and internationally. The project will generate new knowledge about OMCG co-offending using an innovative multimethod approach combining social network analysis with interviews and focus groups. Expected outcomes include a deeper understanding of OMCG criminal activity across Australia and refined theory development about co-offending in criminal groups. The project will lead to improved policy, legislation and policing practice to prevent OMCG crime and dismantle OMCG criminal networks in more cost-effective ways.Read moreRead less
Understanding the emerging threat of conspiracy-fuelled extremism. This project aims to address the emerging threat of conspiracy-fuelled extremism in Australia. The project expects to produce new knowledge by identifying the unique factors driving this new form of extremism and the social harm it causes. Through three studies, the project will test a new theoretical model of conspiracy-fuelled extremism, will explore the threats and social harms this form of extremism creates, and will develop ....Understanding the emerging threat of conspiracy-fuelled extremism. This project aims to address the emerging threat of conspiracy-fuelled extremism in Australia. The project expects to produce new knowledge by identifying the unique factors driving this new form of extremism and the social harm it causes. Through three studies, the project will test a new theoretical model of conspiracy-fuelled extremism, will explore the threats and social harms this form of extremism creates, and will develop evidence-based insights into how it can be mitigated. The research should produce benefits for Australia by providing policymakers with a risk-assessment tool to identify individuals most 'at-risk' of violent extremism, and by providing knowledge about the services families may require to de-radicalise loved ones.Read moreRead less
Understanding and preventing gun violence: A qualitative study. Gun violence causes significant harm across Australian communities. Excluding sexual assault, firearms feature in nearly one in 10 violent crimes. The annual costs of gun violence run into tens of millions of dollars. This project aims to make an original qualitative contribution to understanding and preventing gun violence in three contexts: drug dealing/trafficking, other organised crime activity, and armed robbery. The proposed r ....Understanding and preventing gun violence: A qualitative study. Gun violence causes significant harm across Australian communities. Excluding sexual assault, firearms feature in nearly one in 10 violent crimes. The annual costs of gun violence run into tens of millions of dollars. This project aims to make an original qualitative contribution to understanding and preventing gun violence in three contexts: drug dealing/trafficking, other organised crime activity, and armed robbery. The proposed research would be the first study nationally - and one of the very few internationally - to interview convicted gun crime users about the acquisition and use of firearms in criminal life. Project results are expected to have direct implications for reducing the impact of gun violence in Australia.Read moreRead less
Domestic violence disclosure schemes: A national review. In 2014 family violence was declared a national emergency in Australia. In the years since there has been extensive law reform activity. Domestic violence disclosure schemes have emerged within this context as a policy option that may improve safety outcomes for victims. However, there is currently no evidence as to the impact of these schemes and no consultation with victims as to their value. This project aims to generate the evidence re ....Domestic violence disclosure schemes: A national review. In 2014 family violence was declared a national emergency in Australia. In the years since there has been extensive law reform activity. Domestic violence disclosure schemes have emerged within this context as a policy option that may improve safety outcomes for victims. However, there is currently no evidence as to the impact of these schemes and no consultation with victims as to their value. This project aims to generate the evidence required to inform decisions about the introduction of these schemes, to better understand what victim/survivors want from them, and how such schemes can be effectively operationalised. The findings seek to be relevant to all Australian states and territories as well as international jurisdictions.Read moreRead less
Illicit drug trafficking: the structure of illicit networks and implications for resilience and vulnerability. The current project will examine the strucure of criminal networks involved in drug trafficking using social science and mathematical techniques. We aim to explore areas of network resilience and vulnerability to assist law enforcement agencies in dismantling such networks.
Adolescents becoming delinquent online. The project aims to provide a longitudinal criminological study of adolescent Internet use in the world. The Internet is a pervasive influence in young people's lives and is increasingly viewed as a significant factor in the incidence of criminal activities including cyber-bullying, computer hacking and radicalisation. Using survey and interview methods over four years, the project will study how adolescents use the Internet daily, and particularly how thi ....Adolescents becoming delinquent online. The project aims to provide a longitudinal criminological study of adolescent Internet use in the world. The Internet is a pervasive influence in young people's lives and is increasingly viewed as a significant factor in the incidence of criminal activities including cyber-bullying, computer hacking and radicalisation. Using survey and interview methods over four years, the project will study how adolescents use the Internet daily, and particularly how this may enable or encourage delinquency on and off-line. This project is expected to benefit national security, law enforcement and crime prevention and enhance public safety and social cohesion.Read moreRead less
Tackling Crystal Methamphetamine Supply in Rural and Regional Australia. This project tackles one of the leading drug policy and organised crime issues in Australia, namely the increased availability of crystal methamphetamine (ice) in rural and regional communities. The first study of its kind nationally, it will use an innovative combination of qualitative and quantitative methods across six communities in three states to uncover how ice infiltrates regional communities, the drivers and mechan ....Tackling Crystal Methamphetamine Supply in Rural and Regional Australia. This project tackles one of the leading drug policy and organised crime issues in Australia, namely the increased availability of crystal methamphetamine (ice) in rural and regional communities. The first study of its kind nationally, it will use an innovative combination of qualitative and quantitative methods across six communities in three states to uncover how ice infiltrates regional communities, the drivers and mechanisms and impacts thereof. Expected outcomes include a roadmap to reduce supply and harms, strengthened communities and enhanced international collaborations. With ice use and supply costing the Australian government $5 billion per year, the project stands to provide significant social, public health and economic benefits.Read moreRead less
What works, what doesn't, and what is promising for preventing sexual violence and abuse: the effectiveness of situational prevention. The costs of sexual violence and abuse are enormous and involve immediate and long-term negative effects for the life of victims, families and the society. This project will investigate and provide critical evidence-based knowledge on the effectiveness of situational prevention measures.
Criminal services and the role of place in transnational crime in Asia. Criminal service hubs in Asia facilitate transnational crimes that impact on Australia. The project will explore the nature of these hubs and analyse their relationships to the mobility, activities and longevity of criminal networks. Understanding what makes a crime hub and how criminals use them will create new opportunities for the prevention of serious crime.
Regulation of Indigenous Safety Strategies: Night Patrols & Policy. This project aims to identify the qualities that make Indigenous night patrols (NPs) unique, to inform and improve the capacities of agencies and regulatory authorities and indigenous communities to work together, leading to greater security, peace and safety. Crime and safety in Aboriginal communities remains a major concern. NPs, an Australian innovation developed by Aboriginal communities, have become key players in local cri ....Regulation of Indigenous Safety Strategies: Night Patrols & Policy. This project aims to identify the qualities that make Indigenous night patrols (NPs) unique, to inform and improve the capacities of agencies and regulatory authorities and indigenous communities to work together, leading to greater security, peace and safety. Crime and safety in Aboriginal communities remains a major concern. NPs, an Australian innovation developed by Aboriginal communities, have become key players in local crime reduction strategies, and carry the endorsement of both government and Aboriginal communities. However, they are operating in an environment of increased ‘top-down’ control and regulation. Does greater accountability to government weaken NP’s ‘cultural’ accountability to communities? This project explores the qualities that make NPs unique. This includes the prominent, and neglected, role of Indigenous women as patrollers and clients, who may lose out should NPs become like mainstream community safety mechanisms.Read moreRead less