Circles of Support and Accountability

The CoSA model can be traced back to both aboriginal Canadian traditions and to United States Native American traditions. When they wanted to solve a problem, everyone needed to sit in a circle, face each other as equals, and talk about it. It was, and is, a powerful example of people working together as a team. The first CoSA was implemented in Hamilton, Ontario, in 1994. This movement was started by Mennonite Pastor Harry Nigh, who befriended a mentally disabled sex offender who had served time in prison for sexual offenses throughout his lifetime.

The CoSA model can be traced back to both aboriginal Canadian traditions and to United States Native American traditions. When they wanted to solve a problem, everyone needed to sit in a circle, face each other as equals, and talk about it. It was, and is, a powerful example of people working together as a team. The first CoSA was implemented in Hamilton, Ontario, in 1994. This movement was started by Mennonite Pastor Harry Nigh, who befriended a mentally disabled sex offender who had served time in prison for sexual offenses throughout his lifetime.

People who decide to be CoSA volunteers participate in the first step of increasing public safety by choosing to be active participants in protecting the community and helping to lessen the chances that someone who was previously convicted of a sex offense reoffends. These participants understand that public safety is not just the responsibility of the police (and those in authority) to enforce, but also of the people in the community.

Yes. Core members must choose to participate in CoSA. However, their reasons for participating can vary. CoSA is about making an impact on people who are likely to engage in behavior that puts others—or themselves—at risk by showing them that they have the support of their community. That positive impact cannot be made if a core member participates involuntarily.

No. Regular members of the community choose to volunteer as participants of CoSA. The model, as it was first conceived, was designed to pair a person who offended with a group of people from his or her community. A volunteer just needs to be willing to commit to treating CoSA as a covenant, i.e. a moral agreement, not a contract. Volunteers are, however, screened and provided with training.

People who are convicted of sex offenses have the same range of problems as the rest of the people who are part of reentry population, such as difficulty securing housing, limited employment and educational opportunities, and potential for substance use and mental health concerns. However, for people convicted of a sexual offense, these obstacles are also often compounded with additional barriers, including limited access to prosocial activities and restrictions on reuniting with family, among others.