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Circles of Support and Accountability (CoSA) is a reintegration program, based on restorative justice principles, to assist people who have been incarcerated for sexual offences and seek CoSA's help voluntarily, I their effort to develop a meaningful and safe life in the community. CoSA Ottawa is one of 15 CoSA sites operating across Canada and, based on research indicating that CoSA reduces re-offence rates by 70%, CoSA has expanded to many countries worldwide. Given CoSA began in Hamilton, ON in 1994, we can all be proud that made-in-Canada CoSA, is helping to make our communities safer.

Three or four trained and screened volunteers and a 'core member' form a Circle and commit to working together for a minimum period of one year (renewable), meeting regularly to identify risk factors and coping strategies, navigate obstacles and work on goals to assist in the core member's reintegration process. The volunteers, supported by staff,  advisors and professionals, also challenge any problematic choices that may lead the core member to re-offend or breach legal conditions.