Young people who have made mistakes must be given a chance to change their behaviour and to find a way out of violence. Short-term pedagogical measures and behavioural conditioning does not work. The violent subculture is well-organised, and once you are involved it is difficult to break away. A relapse into old behaviour patterns can be prevented only by stable relationships and transferring new skills into everyday life.
What do young people who only know humiliation and violence need to experience in order to change their behaviour? Based on our many years of experience in working with violence-prone adolescents and young adults we have developed the concept of Verantwortungspädagogik® (responsible pedagogy). The approach developed by Violence Prevention Network is an integrated approach that effects a change in behaviour by teaching young people how to be responsible in their dealings with themselves and others.
