About us

Ventio CPSI, or simply Ventio, is an independent research and advisory center focused on criminal behavior among young people and young adults. We conduct scientific research into the origins of criminal behavior and develop innovative prevention and intervention programs.

Through our groundbreaking research and innovative programs, we assist governments, agencies, and institutions in addressing (youth) crime. Ventio aims to contribute to a safer society while also reducing the societal costs of crime. We believe that when it comes to crime, prevention is better than cure. We are convinced that problem behavior can be anticipated and, with the right approach, nipped in the bud.

Here’s a summary of our beliefs:

Science, clinical practice, and policymakers should collaborate more effectively in preventing crime.
It is better to assist young people early on than to wait until situations escalate.
Focusing on positive aspects and protective factors is essential.
Every young person has a talent that should be discovered and nurtured.
The earlier risk factors are identified, the sooner they can be reduced and protective factors encouraged.
Research must be translated more effectively and swiftly into clinical practice and innovative treatment methods.
Interventions should be tailored to the individual wishes, needs, and interests of young people.

Approach

We conduct research and test innovative interventions in practice to develop prevention programs for at-risk youth and reports on youth crime for policymakers. By collaborating with forensic and residential youth care, municipalities, and police, we can better understand the needs of both policymakers and young offenders, allowing us to adapt our approach accordingly.

Expertise

Ventio does not view crime solely through a legal lens. Our expertise lies in forensic psychology and developmental psychopathology. This broad perspective leads to a better understanding of young offenders. Through our close ties with clinical and forensic practice, and our experience conducting research in forensic settings, we are uniquely positioned to contribute to the prevention and intervention of youth crime.

A large-scale study, conducted in collaboration with the RIEC Limburg in 2022, revealed that behavioral problems, emotional problems, and moral disengagement are significant predictors of criminal behavior in young people. Moral disengagement refers to cognitive processes in which young people justify their antisocial behavior, allowing them to avoid negative emotions and temporarily disregard moral norms. An example of this is the reasoning that taking an unlocked bike is acceptable because the owner is responsible for not securing it. This form of antisocial thinking strategies and the use of moral neutralization increases vulnerability to criminal behavior.

In the “Master My Moral Mind” (M4) program, children are encouraged to think about moral dilemmas. Through structured dialogues and reflection, children learn to develop alternative ways of thinking about moral issues, which contributes to the development of empathy, self-awareness, and social skills. This program focuses on strengthening moral reasoning and social competencies, with the goal of preventing antisocial and criminal behavior.

The M4 program is a 12-week intervention in which participants attend weekly sessions of one hour, aimed at promoting moral development. The program not only focuses on moral development and ethical reasoning but also addresses themes such as gratitude, empathy, and self-reflection. These themes are integrated with the goal of enhancing participants’ socio-emotional skills, which are essential for fostering morally responsible behavior.

In addition to moral development, the M4 program explicitly focuses on fostering a growth mindset, teaching children that personal qualities and skills can be developed through effort and perseverance. This helps them embrace challenges and view mistakes as opportunities for growth, which is crucial for their overall psychological development.
Throughout the program, children are actively encouraged to think critically about moral dilemmas. Realistic scenarios are used, with issues such as honesty, friendship, respect, and the ethical implications of social media being central. Through interactive discussions and reflective exercises, children are encouraged to evaluate their own values, understand the perspectives of others, and make ethical decisions based on empathy and respect for others.

This process of moral and cognitive development contributes to a broader goal: strengthening self-awareness and social responsibility, which in the long term helps prevent antisocial behavior and promotes prosocial interactions within the community.

In forensic care, the focus has traditionally been on correcting undesirable behavior and eliminating dysfunctional behaviors in children and adolescents. This approach often emphasizes what young people do wrong, what they should avoid, and how they should not behave. In the “KrachtIk” project, however, a positive, strength-based approach is used, emphasizing the discovery and development of young people’s talents, skills, and strengths.

In this project, young people are actively guided in identifying their intrinsic qualities and potential. They are supported in recognizing their personal competencies and in formulating constructive and achievable goals. Through this positive focus, young people learn to identify which behaviors and thought patterns are helpful in achieving their goals and which behaviors are not. This self-discovery process helps them take ownership of their own development and be responsible for their behavioral choices.

The goal of “KrachtIk” is to help young people restructure their self-image through an empowerment approach. This method supports the development of a positive self-image and greater self-efficacy, motivating young people to develop behavioral patterns that contribute to their personal and social growth. Emphasizing their abilities and success experiences encourages the internalization of prosocial norms and behaviors, while antisocial behaviors and dysfunctional cognitions gradually diminish.
By focusing on what young people are doing well and providing them with tools to strengthen their positive qualities, “KrachtIk” contributes to enhancing resilience, self-regulation, and personal responsibility. This process of positive behavioral change aligns with the principles of positive psychology and the growth mindset and is seen as a promising approach to reducing antisocial behavior in young people in forensic care.