Circles South West works in partnership with statutory services to assist in risk management of those who have perpetrated sexual harm and/or are registered sex offenders by providing Circles of Support and Accountability (CoSA).

There are around 5,000 people living in communities around the South West who have been convicted of sexual offences. Evidence suggests that a strengths-based community response can have a significant impact on its prevention. Circles South West enables local communities to prevent further sexual abuse taking place by providing Circles of Support and Accountability for those convicted of sexual offences or with harmful sexual behaviour. By minimising alienation, supporting safe reintegration and ensuring the individual takes responsibility for what they do and the effect it has on others, we can prevent sexual reoffending. 

Our vision is No more Victims. Circles work towards there being ‘No More Victims’ by reducing emotional loneliness; modelling appropriate adult relationships; supporting their safe integration; and holding the individual to account for their behaviour. The Circle represents a community engaging with, rather than rejecting, someone trying to live without harming, putting local volunteers at its heart. 

Last year we coordinated 58 Circles of Support and Accountability, involving more then 200 volunteers around the region. This is more than 6400 direct volunteering hours, equivalent to £89,500 in kind. 

Circles South West is an independent charity established in 2010. 

We operate virtually with an unstaffed registered office in Bournemouth.