Responding to violent extremism following the 15th March 2019 Mosque attacks in Christchurch New Zealand.

Abstract. A one size fits all methodology in the delivery of public services has merit by intention but flawed in practice and can generate poor impact outcomes. For people working within the justice system, there are finite resources to deliver services. People working in justice may think that what they do is the best for most people most of the time. How else could it be done given the restraints? However, when unprecedented events occur, the system must find unprecedented solutions. Today’s best-practice may no longer provide participant centric outcomes, and simply thinking about what can work is unlikely to achieve optimum outcomes. The author suggests their first message is don’t think, know.

Policy and procedural change must be supported by evidence and where change is warranted, rhetorically ask, have the proposed strategies worked elsewhere? This is essential considering the unprecedented violent events of 15th March 2019 in Christchurch. Fresh knowledge is required to fill the vacuum created by a lack of local experience. While an amended public policy can draw from the overseas experience of violent extremism, there is also a need to recognise New Zealand as a unique society and the partnerships therein are worthy of a bespoke set of practice values that fit with the needs of the consumers of those practices.

There are many facets of a community partnership that must come together to ensure the needs of each sub-group are met. At the heart of these interactions are the relationships fostered and maintained across a plethora of social identities.  Notably, some conflict in a system is normal, and when harnessed competently, change can be implemented as a robust and sustainable transformation. However, when the interests of a sub-group are not met, conflict can become entrenched and exacerbate the harm already apparent in that system. This is true of our justice system, where the rule of law is paramount, and the needs of increasingly diverse communities outstrip the pace that change can meet the need.

Presently, the current trial process of the alleged murderer continues to harm and re-victimise the people affected by the events of the 15th March 2019. This paper promotes that service delivery and outcomes for all participants of justice using values-based practices will support participant-centric-justice. It suggests that practice must meet theory and that only when the two are brought together, can we fully appreciate the complexities, understand the current challenges and, plan for and implement change. This paper concludes with theories-of-change as a call for the criminal justice system to draw from the wider community experience in the aftermath of the March 15th, 2019 Mosque shootings in Christchurch New Zealand.

The paper begins by explaining the context of change toward a participant-centric-justice system and places this within the context of the trial of the gunman accused of the 2019 shootings. It concludes with a call to action as a series of initiatives that when enacted together, can bring improved outcomes for all stakeholder of a justice system while maintaining the rule of law.

While the author cannot provide all the answers to the events that occurred on 15 March 2019, this paper provides a framework for asking unprecedented questions for unprecedented events for what will become unprecedented outcomes.

For the entire article go to https://www.resolution.institute/resources/journal-articles/responding-to-violent-extremism-following-the-15th-of-march-2019-mosque-attacks-in-christchurch-new-zealand (free for Resolution Institute members), or contact the author.