English Congress Programme
This is the DPT-TV programme of November 2022, which is offered in simultaneous English translation. You can find more information and an insight into the other German-language contributions in the DPT Foyer.
The DPT-News part of the Wednesday programme (11:00 to 11:10 CEST) is open to the public (via DPT Foyer). Registration for the congress is required for participation in the lectures and to be able to make full use of the DPT Foyer offers.
Monday, June 23, 2025
- with current prevention topics (publicly accessible)
Prof. Dr. Uwe Kemmesies, Federal Criminal Police Office
The lecture examines the challenges of extremism prevention in times of resurgent collective narcissism. Its starting point is the consideration of radicalization as an expression – as a symptom rather than a cause – of disturbed social peace. Based on Galtung’s theoretical concept of positive peace, the question will be addressed as to the consciousness with which we should proceed in order to restore the social peace which appears to be disturbed in view of the radicalization of certain social (sub)groups. It will be emphasized that the prevention of violent radicalization and extremism – in line with common sense, at least among experts – must be understood as a task for society as a whole. However, mastering this task must begin with the individuals themselves, and it will only be successfully implemented if the majority of society members also recognize the desire for individual self-determination for others – including members of outgroups. Communicating this – this is the thesis of the lecture – is a basic, if not the central, prerequisite for successful extremism prevention and represents a major challenge in a society on a collective ego trip.
Dr. Daniel Köhler
The interests and needs of different groups collide in public spaces. Conflicts between different user groups, increasing social tensions, changes on the drug markets followed by new drug addiction patterns and decreasing tolerance of marginalised people are shaking social peace. Visibly more people live on the streets in many cities. Some of them display a very peculiar and sometimes aggressive behaviour, are severely pauperised and can hardly be reached by street workers and social services anymore. These group is representing a major challenge for society and city administrations. In view of growing social inequality and social transformation processes, the prevention of poverty, marginalisation, homelessness, addiction and mental illness is essential for maintaining social peace. At the same time, quick solutions are needed for those affected. But how can this be achieved? The lecture will present various municipal prevention approaches.
Lena HoseitProf. Dr. Christoph Weller, University of Augsburg
The lecture explains a scientific understanding of ‘societal peace’ („Gesellschaftlicher Frieden“) based on theories of social conflict. This concept goes beyond the traditional idea of peace and conflict research, in which peace is understood as the opposite of violence. Instead, it focuses primarily on practice-oriented questions that are becoming more pressing than ever as socio-political disputes become more radicalised and the danger of escalation in social conflicts increases. The term ‘peace’ is generally associated with greater expectations than just the absence of war. Thus, ‘societal peace’ can also be expected to protect society from the escalation of its conflicts. Because the state's monopoly on the legitimate use of force plays an important role in this, the understanding of ‘societal peace’ cannot be primarily based on the absence of violence. Instead, a way of dealing with socio-political conflicts that prevents conflict escalation is of central importance. The prevention of conflict escalation in daily social coexistence is at the centre of this conflict-theoretical consideration of ‘societal peace’.
Carolin HackemackProf. Dr. Joachim Häfele, Institute for Crime and Security Research (IKriS), Police Academy of Lower Saxony
In Germany, the number of officially registered anti-Semitic incidents has risen steadily in recent years. In particular, the Hamas terrorist attack on Israel on 7 October 2023 led to a further extreme increase in the number of cases. However, the dark field in this area is likely to be much larger (e.g. Häfele & Groß 2023). In addition, the officially reported cases do not allow any conclusions to be drawn about the extent to which people are affected by antisemitic acts that are not (or not yet) punishable by law. However, antisemitism is widespread in everyday social life, be it in the form of stereotypes, general devaluation of Jews and Judaism, open and subtle antisemitic prejudices or media representations (Zick et al. 2017). To date, there are hardly any findings on antisemitism in Germany from the perspective of those affected. The lecture presents results from the research project ‘Jewish Life and Everyday Life in Hamburg (LeAH)’. The main aim of the study was to survey the subjective burden of anti-Semitic criminal offences and non-punishable anti-Semitic acts and (everyday) discrimination(s) on Hamburg Jews. The data basis is a complete survey of the Jewish community in Hamburg.
Christian Schneider, Expert Forum for Hostile Vehicle MitigationChristian Schneider
Born 1969
Hostile Vehicle Mitigation Advisor
Christian Schneider is an internationally active expert, consultant and lecturer for a standard-compliant application of hostile vehicle mitigation (HVM). His innovative HVM schemes, e.g. for Berlin's Breitscheidplatz or the city centre of the state capital Mainz, have received great international recognition and earned him the humorous nickname "bollard pope". Christian Schneider advises ministries, police forces, authorities and municipalities on all issues related to hostile vehicle mitigation. He is an accredited expert in national and international standards committees, such as DIN, BSI and ISO and cooperates closely with the world's leading experts to create customised HVM solutions of the highest standard for his clients.Prof. Dr. Thomas Görgen, German Police University
On average, the police in Germany record at least one attempted or completed homicide involving partners or ex-partners every day. A significant proportion of these crimes occur in the context of, or following, a break-up. International studies highlight the high prevalence of stalking in the lead-up to intimate partner homicides, though they often do not distinguish between cases within ongoing relationships and those that occur post-separation. This study explores the extent, forms, and circumstances under which individuals who kill (or attempt to kill) their intimate partners after a break-up engage in prior stalking behaviour. Using a file-based analysis of post-separation homicides, the research examines the patterns of stalking leading up to these crimes, as well as the demographic, situational, and behavioural characteristics of the perpetrators.
Operating within Efus, EU-POLNET is a European network dedicated to strengthening the expertise of local police forces and promoting their role in urban security at both the European and international levels. Through peer-to-peer exchanges, the network fosters the sharing of promising practices & innovative initiatives, and facilitates training and collaboration between local and regional police forces across Europe. Efus has been working on policing issues since it was founded in 1987, and has set out its position in its Manifesto. It emphasises the importance of „basing the doctrine of police action on the principles of co-production and community policing“ and „organising the police on the basis of a partnership approach“. It calls for institutions „to operate and be organised“ in such a way as to ensure that „the expectations and needs of citizens for their day-to-day problems are given the same priority as emergencies and major crime issues“. Organised as part of the PACTESUR 2 project, the Local Police Academies are bringing together more than 50 local police officers from 14 cities from all over Europe. These academies are combining theory and practical activities, focusing on real-world application and sharing operational protocols. EU-POLNET priorities: Public spaces, community policing, diversity, recruitment & retention, coordination with local services.
Dr. Anke Schröder, State Office of Criminal Investigation of Lower Saxony
Innovations in security research are essential for the development of complex and foresighted security solutions for diverse threat situations. However, research findings show gaps between the development of security-relevant innovations and their implementation. A key approach is therefore to involve end users in security research in order to enable close collaboration between expertise, technology and research. Insufficient consideration of the actual needs and perspectives of end users can lead to a discrepancy between solution development and problem identification. These possible shortcomings can hinder the acceptance of innovations in practice instead of recognising them as helpful instruments for making everyday work easier. The EU-funded project Engage2innovate (E2i) postulates that a stronger orientation towards end users is crucial in the entire research and development process of social innovations - from needs assessment through the process to implementation and evaluation - and aims to develop practice-oriented solutions to close this gap. The presentation will outline implications for better implementation of innovative security solutions based on the current project findings.
PhD Laura Llop-Medina, University of Valencia
Crowded public spaces present critical security challenges due to high-density concentrations that complicate effective emergency response, with potentially serious consequences. These challenges, which are increasingly complex in nature, encompass the threats of terrorism, organised crime, political and economic unrest, natural disasters and high-volume gatherings. To improve the understanding of social innovations in the European security landscape, a scoping review was conducted in the framework of CO-SECUR EU project, with the aim of identifying and synthesising studies that focus on public space security and mass events security innovations developed through bottom-up approaches, public participation or targeted public engagement, as well as studies that analyse or study security perception and behaviour. Eligible studies were published in the last decade spanning peer-reviewed and grey literature within the European Union, with an expanded focus on consortium countries (Spain, Belgium, Finland, Germany, Portugal, Romania, Poland, Greece, and Lithuania) and the UK. Comparative analysis across countries reveals that while countries share common challenges in ensuring public security, their approaches to social innovation in security vary widely.
Dr. ir. Harm op den Akker
- with current prevention topics (publicly accessible)
What can a city like Zurich do when a popular meeting place suddenly becomes a focal point for conflict and violence? On the lakeshore, rising alcohol consumption and increasing physical violence among young people created a threatening dynamic that was further fuelled by social media. Conventional police measures such as increased presence, repression and video surveillance seemed to exacerbate the problem and only attracted more young people in search of ‘action’. The turning point came when a unique co-operation between social work, prevention and the police was launched. Through a coordinated approach and the use of outreach social work, a concept is developed that calms the situation in the long term. Each agency acts according to its own mandate, but with a common goal: to make public spaces safe and accessible for everyone. The presentation shows how Zurich has successfully responded to the escalation of violence and presents tried and tested approaches that can serve as a model for dealing with similar conflicts in public spaces.
Social, economic and power inequalities, perceived injustice and polarising narratives lead to crises and violent conflicts in many countries. GIZ supports its partners in overcoming the causes of conflicts, fragility and violence, dealing with conflicts in a non-violent manner and creating structural framework conditions for peaceful and inclusive development. The lecture presents approaches to promoting social peace from various country contexts.
Dr. Manjari Khanna Kapoor, ICA, Association for Building Security India (ABSI)Dr. Kapoor is a practising architect and academician at the leading architectural schools of Delhi NCR. She is the first in South Asian region to pioneer ‘security through architectural design’, propagating the concepts of CPTED and counter terrorism through design. For this objective she is the Founder President of ‘Association for Building Security’ - India’s chapter of the ICA and a Director on the Board of the International CPTED Association (ICA). She is also the author and Chairperson of the SEQURE standards for design of buildings and rating systems.
Dr. Macarena Paz Rau VargasArchitect, Master, and Ph.D. in Urban Planning with extensive experience leading Urban Security Projects and Initiatives, both public and private, in Chile and various countries in Latin America and the Caribbean.
Specialist in the CPTED methodology (Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design) with proven success in diagnosing, designing, executing, and evaluating Violence and Crime Prevention projects from an Environmental perspective with experience of applying and teaching CPTED in various countries of the world.
She is currently the President of the International CPTED Association (www.cpted.net)
Positions
-President of the International CPTED Association (ICA; www.cpted.net).
-President and founder of the Corporation for the Prevention of Crime Through Environmental Design in Chile (www.cpted-region.org).
-Executive Director and founder of Publika Consulting Company (www.pbk.cl).
-Member of the Scientific Committee of Urban Life 2005, Sweden. (www.urbanlife2005.com).
-Reviewer at Journal of Applied Security Research 2020 (Routledge)
-Doctor Honoris Causa Claustro Doctoral México 2021Gregory Saville, ICA, AlterNation ConsultingGregory Saville is a criminologist, urban planner and former police officer. He is co-founder of the International CPTED Association and chairperson of the ICA course accreditation committee. He currently runs AlterNation LLC, an international consulting firm based in Denver, Colorado. He is co-author of SafeGrowth: Building Neighborhoods of Safety and Livability and also You In Blue: A Guide for the New Cop.
The platform against phishing is a public-private partnership between the Federal Criminal Police Office, PSA Payment Services Austria, Austrian banks, telecommunications operators, supervisory authorities and other public organisations. Together, they are working on solutions to counteract the phenomenon of phishing. The organisations meet regularly to exchange information and have 3 specific working groups with the following objectives: 1. joint awareness-raising, 2. technical solutions to prevent phishing attacks and 3. decisions for recommendations for decision-makers. The #10DaysAgainstPhishing took place for the first time in 2024. Over the 10 days, more than 25 organisations provided information about the dangers of phishing and how to protect yourself from them. The media response was huge and the feedback was very good. By joining forces with telecommunications operators, it will also be possible in the near future to filter out and not deliver text messages with fraudulent content.
Dr. Michaela ZöhrerResearcher and coordinator of "KomPa: Kommunale Konfliktberatung und Partizipative Konfliktforschung", a participatory research project of forumZFD and the Chair of Political Science, Peace and Conflict Research at the University of Augsburg.
How can organisations and local authorities take preventative action against human trafficking for sexual exploitation? Which target groups need to be considered, what are the legal framework conditions and what are the push and pull factors for human trafficking for sexual exploitation? These questions will be dealt with using the work of the organisation AugsburgerInnen gegen Menschenhandel e.V. as an example.
Hate on the internet contributes to a brutalisation of interaction in the digital space. The impact on those affected is grave. Not only since the murder oft he German politician Walter Lübcke we have learned that words can become deeds. Effective criminal prosecution is important to emphasise the inappropriateness of criminal hate online. In Hesse, the ‘Hesse against hate speech’ reporting platform provides an easy way to report hate speech and extremist content. Those affected are provided with individualised support services if required. Relevant notificatons are forwarded to the Cybercrime Center of the Public Prosecutor General´s Office (ZIT) for the review of criminal liability. In criminal proceedings, the confrontation with the alleged offence often brings the defendant to critically reflect on his or her own behaviour for the first time. This is why we need – in addition to conventional criminal sanctions -, means to show perpetrators an active way out of the spiral of violence and agitation and thus to develop behavioural strategies to a non-violent communication in the future. The digital social training course run by the non-profit organisation STOP HATE in cooperation with ZIT may serve as an example. The participation in this course can be imposed as a condition for the discontinuation of criminal proceedings and is if successful a preventive victim protection.
Andrea Schmidt
In the greater Stuttgart area, and thus in the jurisdiction of several regional police headquarters (Aalen, Ludwigsburg, Reutlingen, Stuttgart and Ulm), there have been repeated violent confrontations, including attempted homicides, on an unprecedented scale since 2022, which are essentially attributable to two rival groups. So-called live firearms and hand grenades have also been used. The conflict has considerably disturbed the peace under the law significantly disrupted public order and has had a lasting impact on citizens' sense of security. In a concerted response under the leadership of the BW State Criminal Police Office, the BW police set up a special organisational structure with a focus on countering the rival groups with criminal prosecution measures, but also with measures under police law. In addition, the classic police and judicial countermeasures were conceptually supplemented by preventive activities in 2024. In a presentation, the initial situation, a description of the problem with an analysis of the causes and the measures that have been taken to date and are constantly being further developed will be presented. The presentation will cover the initial situation, a problem description with cause analysis, and the measures taken so far, which are continuously being developed.
PHD candidate Stanislavs Seiko
This study examines legislative changes regarding companion animal protection in Latvia, emphasizing the role of these measures in preventing animal abuse and promoting social changes. By analysing examples of abuse and the necessary changes outlined in manifests of several animal rights advocacy NGOs, the study assesses the impact of advocacy on legislative reform. It also examines police records from 2016 to 2024 concerning the classifications „Animal Abuse“ and „Violations of Animal Welfare Regulations“, as the local police force is the primary responder in situations of animal mistreatment. To further investigate situations of companion animal welfare violations, semi-structured interviews were performed with homeless animal help volunteers, veterinarians, and veterinary inspectors. A total of 30 semi-structured interviews shed light on various forms of mistreatment, including unlawful breeding, hoarding, and the refusal of euthanasia for suffering animals, and provide insights into underlying causes and potential preventive approaches. This study emphasizes the necessity of collaborative initiatives among legislative bodies, LEAs, and grassroots groups to prevent animal abuse. The research seeks to foster a more egalitarian and peaceful society through improved collaboration and informed policy-making, aligning with the congress's emphasis on prevention and social changes.
Bastian BraunJoe StirnMario WatzDr. Joongwook Park, Korean Institute of Criminology and Justice (KICJ)
Dr. Jee-Young Yun, Korean Institute of Criminology and Justice (KICJ)
Crime Prevention using Advanced AI Technology Artificial intelligence(AI), increasingly applied in digital crimes such as deepfakes, phishing, and hacking, has lowered the technical barriers to entry and accelerated both the sophistication and popularization of criminal activity. In particular, the proliferation of generative AI has created an environment where individuals can easily produce highly realistic false information, and it has emerged as a significant threat with the potential to cause widespread social disruption. At the same time, AI is garnering attention as an effective tool for crime prevention and response. Technologies such as deepfake detection, forgery identification, and predictive policing systems have already been introduced into real-world investigative contexts and have demonstrated tangible results. The Korean National Police Agency, for example, is actively establishing AI-based detection and response systems. More recently, AI has evolved into what is known as physical AI, which operates tangible devices such as autonomous vehicles and robots, thereby expanding the scope of crime response technologies from virtual environments into physical space. While these developments offer the potential to greatly enhance public safety capabilities, they also raise new legal and ethical concerns, including the normalization of surveillance, potential infringements on civil liberties, and limitations in technological control. This presentation aims to examine the shifting patterns of crime driven by such technological advancements and explore how advanced AI technology can meaningfully contribute to crime prevention from a criminal justice policy perspective.
Crime Prevention through the Expansion of the Electronic Monitoring System Since introducing the electronic monitoring system in 2008, Korea has progressively expanded its application to high-risk offenders convicted of sexual offenses, murder, robbery, and stalking. Notably, since 2020, electronic monitoring has been extended to all parolees, regardless of crime type, and can also be imposed as a condition for granting bail. Currently, the effectiveness of electronic monitoring in reducing recidivism rates has been empirically validated, reinforcing its legitimacy as a criminal policy measure. Recently, further advancements have been made, including extending the system to stalking offenders and establishing a legal foundation for research and development initiatives. Nevertheless, concerns related to potential human rights violations, proportionality issues, and dependence on technological reliability remain. Addressing these challenges will be essential to ensure the sustainable implementation of electronic monitoring.
Dr. Jisun Choi, Korean Institute of Criminology and Justice (KICJ)
Dr. Seong-Hoon Park, Korean Institute of Criminology and Justice (KICJ)
Dr. Seungbeom Sim, Korean Institute of Criminology and Justice (KICJ)
Criminal Policy Research on Digital Platform Crimes and Preventing Victimization This study aimed to empirically examine the emergence of new forms of crime driven rapid advancements in information and communications technology (ICT) and digital innovation. It also sought to explore policy measures that could help ensure citizens' safety and freedom in this rapidly evolving digital landscape. To achieve these objects, we first analyze the current state of criminal activity occurring on digital platforms. In particular, we conducted a survey of Korean citizens about their experiences with victimization related to by deepfake-related sexual offenses, online grooming, and cyberbullying. The patterns of victimization were further analyzed based on variables such as gender, age, and education. Deepfake-related sexual offenses, in particular, are spreading rapidly in Korea due to advancements in AI technologies. While current laws regulate the production, distribution, and possession of deepfake materials, they remain insufficient in preventing such crimes. As a result, there is a growing public demand in Korean society for more effective measures. Cyberbullying is another serious issue, often taking the form of group harassment on digital platforms. Although existing laws address defamation and insults, the public continues to call for harsher penalties. This study examined these emerging crimes on digital platforms from both legal and political perspectives and offered recommendations to prevent secondary victimization in the future.
Safe Society through Treatment of High-Risk Criminals This presentation explores South Korea’s multi-pronged approach to managing high-risk sex offenders, focusing on four key protective measures: registration and public notification, electronic monitoring, employment restrictions, and pharmacological treatment for sexual impulse. It will provide an overview of the legal and institutional framework behind each measure, their goals in enhancing community safety, and ongoing challenges in balancing public protection with offender rehabilitation. The aim is to offer insights into South Korea’s evolving strategy to prevent recidivism and promote a safer society.
PhD Macarena Rau Vargas, International CPTED Association
The paper will describe the process and outcome of a longitudinal research conducted both in Honduras and Chile on impact evaluation of CPTED interventions (first, second and third generation) and situational crime prevention. This longitudinal research was led by Dr. Macarena Rau together with a team of researchers (Dr. Francisco Gatica (UBB), Dr. Tim Pascoe, Dr. Ivan Cartes (UBB)) and allowed the formulation of a CPTED Impact Evaluation Method called ESU (Urban Safety Survey). One of the innovations of this method is its participatory dimension with the intervened communities and control groups as well as the collection of both qualitative and quantitative information. This paper seeks to contribute to both the practice and concepts of evidence-based CPTED and exchange both research and practice information with colleagues from Germany and Europe among other international guests.
Prof. Shahla Eltayeb, Naif Arab University for Security Sciences
This lecture explores the intersection of trauma, mental health, focusing on supporting women victims. While gender-sensitive approaches have gained prominence in recent years, these initiatives often overlook socio-cultural and ethnic diversity, assuming that women victim's needs are universal. This lecture advocates for a holistic strategy that addresses the specific needs of female victims, offering mental health care tailored to their distinct ethnocultural backgrounds while enhancing victim protection and rehabilitation. Drawing on case studies from Afro-Arab communities (Sudan) and multi-ethnic contexts, the lecture will emphasize culturally sensitive, trauma-informed mental health interventions aimed at improving resilience among women in varied settings. These case studies will provide practical insights into policy changes that can improve community-based mental health programs, offer useful perspectives for policymakers on reshaping crime prevention.
Dr. Barbara Bergmann