CoSA Peterborough

Public's understanding of paedophiles has not improved, says charity boss

Rev Harry Nigh, who set up Circles in 1994 to support sex offenders, says it is easy for politicians to say ‘lock them up’.

‘I think this is a crisis’: Renowned sex offender rehabilitation program set to close in Toronto, Hamilton and Kitchener after funding loss

The made-in-Ontario Circles of Support and Accountability, or CoSA, has been copied across Canada and in the United Kingdom, United States, Australia and South Korea — but it has now lost funding in the very communities where it was created.

Non-Profit that helps sex offenders rejoin society knows its mission is a 'tough sell'

Even though the program has proven its effectiveness – lowering recidivism by as much as 83 per cent – its future remains uncertain because of funding challenges.

Organization devoted to sex offender rehabilitation facing financial hardship due to lack of funding

Circles of Support and Accountability, or CoSA, coordinates support groups where volunteers form a “circle” with convicted sex offenders, providing provide structure and accountability.

Friends with a sex offender: Sask. man says support saves him from re-offending

Circles of Support and Accountability group has an 80 per cent success rate.

Harry Nigh started groundbreaking sex-offender support group

Twenty-five years ago, Harry Nigh led a com­mun­ity effort in Hamilton to provide nearly constant companionship and support to a high-risk sex-­offender named Charlie as he was released from prison. With this help, Charlie never reoffended. Today, the model established by this initial experiment (called a Circle of Support and Accountability, or COSA) has been replicated worldwide as a way to support the reintegration of high-risk offenders. Nigh spoke with Julie McGonegal.

There’s a Reliable Therapy for Sex Offenders — But Nobody Wants Them to Get It

In June of 1994, a convicted child molester named Charlie Taylor moved into a small apartment in downtown Hamilton, Ontario, Canada, across the street from a community center.

Minding the Monster

A pedophile gets out of prison. What happens next?

Circles of support for high-risk sex offenders deserve funding: Corrections investigator

Howard Sapers, Canada's correctional investigator, is puzzled by the federal government's decision to cut off funding to groups, including one in Ottawa, that keep communities safer by providing support to high-risk sex offenders after their release from prison. Sapers says Circles of Support and Accountability have shown they are a successful and cost-effective way of reducing reoffending by the sex offenders who participate in the program.

Sex crime prevention program cut by Ottawa

Government evaluation of Circles of Support and Accountability found it boosts public safety, saves money.