The implications of a harm perspective on terrorism, road safety, tobacco, alcohol, illicit drugs and workplace health and safety

Abstract

This policy paper addresses issues around crime impacts and crime prevention from a harm perspective. The development of the paper was prompted by the 2014/2015 escalation of counter-terror measures in Australia. The paper begins with a brief review of crime measurement issues and of a harm perspective in guiding crime prevention policies. It then engages in an analysis of impact measures around four diverse crime and harm types in Australia: terrorism, road crashes, drugs (tobacco, alcohol and illicit drugs), and workplace health and safety violations. The case studies highlight the success of Australia's counter-terror programme in preventing attacks on Australian soil and contrasts this with major ongoing harms associated with the alleged under-regulation of the other crime types. The evidence indicates that much more attention needs to be given to these latter areas to achieve large improvements in people's well-being, without necessarily reducing efforts to combat terrorism.