CIRCLES OF SUPPORT AND ACCOUNTABILITY

CIRCLES OF SUPPORT AND ACCOUNTABILITY LATVIA Conference “No more Victims” 15th March 2011

COSA “NO MORE VICTIMS” “NO SECRETS” reducing recidivism of sex offenders

COSA • It all started in Canada (1995) and proved to be successful • Following the success of Circles in Canada, COSA have been established in the UK (2002) • The Netherlands started implementing in 2009. • With Daphne III funding from the European Union the Project Circles Europe ‘Together for Safety’ was launched in 2010.

Circles Europe: ‘Together for Safety’ Aim: to promote the conditions for implementation and model fidelity of Circles across Europe by designing a guidance handbook. The handbook brings together knowledge and expertise about Circles from different countries, describing necessary phases (start up, development and evaluation). Partners: • Dutch Probation Services • Center for Safety Policy&Criminal Justice (Avans) • Circles UK • House of Justice Antwerp (Belgium) • Tilburg University • European Organisation for Probation (CEP)

Canada: (Wilson et al. 2007b) : Rates of sexual reoffending reduced by 70%, Less severe or invasive offences; (n=120, follow up = av. 4,5 years) Replication study in 2009: 83% less sexual reoffending (Wilson et al. 2007a) Increasing feelings of safety in the community (68% of respondents; n = 77) England: (Bates et al. 2007) No reconvictions of core members Risky behaviour detected in time and dealt with in 10 cases (n= 16, follow up: 4 jaar) COSA: does it really work?

COSA: how does it work Core member Volunteers Circle coördinator Professionals

Support Monitor Maintain Reduce isolation and emotional loneliness Public protection Hold offender accountable Model appropriate relationships Support statutory authorities (e.g. probation) Relationship of trust Demonstrate humanity and care Safer communities Maintain treatment objectives Reduce reoffending COSA: why does it work? 3 key principles:

Necessary steps - National level Lessons learned from earlier experiences in the UK, Netherlands and Belgium: • Adaptation study • Financial means • Public relations and handling resistance • Developing protocols, manuals and basic materials • Building working alliances with national partner organisations • Developing processes and materials necessary to monitor and evaluate circles and ensure quality standards

Necessary steps - Regional level • Building working alliances with regional partner organisations • Organising the regional project organisation & selection and training of coordinators • Recruitment, assessment and training of volunteers • Recruitment and selection core members • Recruitment professionals and sharing information • Support, supervision and meetings Volunteers • Monitoring model fidelity • Gathering data for research

Is it worth while? N0, it’s not an easy and cheap solution to all problems, but……………. • Communitycosts of recidivism are high • Climate of fear / lack of unbiased information • Strong community reactions to release of sex offenders • Stigmatisation and exclusion • Social isolation and marginalization • Key risk factors: social isolation and emotional loneliness • Lack of monitoring • Long term risk of recidivism

Circles of Support and Accountability Provides a surrogate social network as long as necessary Offers practical and moral support for change Supports treatment goals Expands monitoring capacity Supports development of safe and responsible communities Supports agency of community members

Let us share experiences and join together for a safer community

Thank you so much for sharing today www.cosanederland.nl

CIRCLES OF SUPPORT AND ACCOUNTABILITY