At the crossroads
Introducing the organizers.
This conference was made possible thanks to a unique collaboration between the University College Thomas More, the University Forensic Centre, and NL-ATSA. Check out how they contribute to the forensic field in Belgium and the Netherlands (and beyond of course!).
University College Thomas More
Thomas More is the largest university college in Flanders, offering over 30 Dutch-taught bachelor degree programs in the province of Antwerp. The department of Applied Psychology is the largest department of the University College.
This department is the only (applied) psychology department in Belgium that focuses on forensic psychology. With a unique 2-year postgraduate course on Forensic Psychological Assessment and Counseling, a diverse year-round training program, and a research unit organized around a wide range of forensic-related topics (e.g. psychopathy, sexual deviance, police interviewing, and stalking), the department aims to stimulate evidence-based practice with offenders and victims. Prof. Kasia Uzieblo (Thomas More, UGent) is the coordinator of the forensic research unit and co-coordinates the current conference with colleagues from UFC and NL-ATSA.
University Forensic Centre
The University Forensic Center (UFC) is the Flemish expert and support center for the treatment of sex offenders. The UFC provides support and advice to the social services in prisons, the probation officers working with sex offenders, and the forensic counselors in the 13 specialized outpatient treatment centers in Flanders. The support consists of ethical advice, scientific information, research, organization of workshops and conferences and logistic support. The UFC team consists of 1 director/psychiatrist, Prof. Dr. Kris Goethals, 1 psychiatric trainee, 3 psychologists, a criminologist and a secretary. Besides providing support, UFC is also an outpatient treatment center with a yearly caseload of about 120 persons with sexual deviant behavior. The center has gained expertise in the study of Routine Outcome Monitoring and the hormonal treatment of paraphilias.
NL-ATSA
NL-ATSA, with Wineke Smid as current president, is an organization dedicated to the prevention of sexual offenses. The organization focuses on both primary prevention through education and support for potential perpetrators and victims, as well as on secondary and tertiary prevention programs through risk assessment and treatment of known perpetrators.
NL-ATSA aims to disseminate objective international knowledge on and professional experience with sex offenses and sex offenders in both the Netherlands and Belgium. To this end, NL-ATSA organizes conferences, symposia, training sessions, working groups and advisory groups. In addition, NL-ATSA wants to share knowledge and experience of Dutch-speaking researchers and professionals with the international field through workshops and presentations at international conferences and participation in international collaborations.
NL-ATSA is affiliated with the International ATSA-organisation (Association for the Treatment of Sexual Abusers).