Research and Articles about CoSA

In the Media – CoSA Ottawa Featured on CBC Radio’s All in a Day

On January 19, 2026 CoSA Ottawa was featured on CBC Radio’s All in a Day in a conversation about community safety, accountability, and the role of prevention-focused reintegration in reducing harm.

During the interview, Michaela De Curtis, CoSA Ottawa’s Executive Director,  discussed how Circles of Support and Accountability bring together trained volunteers and staff to support individuals returning to the community, while maintaining clear expectations for accountability. The conversation also highlighted the importance of stable funding to sustain this evidence-informed work and ensure communities continue to benefit from effective prevention strategies.

Listen to the interview: Program for sex offender rehabilitation facing funding shortfall | All in a Day | On Demand | CBC Listen

Research

Circles of Support & Accountability: A Canadian National Replication of Outcome Findings

by Robin J. Wilson, Franca Cortoni and Andrew J. McWhinnie (2009)

Circles of Support & Accountability: An innovative approach to community-based risk management for high-risk sexual offenders

by R.J. Wilson & A.J. McWhinnie (2010)

Circles of Support & Accountability: An international partnership in reducing sexual offender recidivism

by R.J. Wilson, A.J. McWhinnie, & C. Wilson (2008)

Circles of Support & Accountability: Engaging community volunteers in the management of high-risk sexual offenders

by R.J. Wilson, A.J. McWhinnie, J.E. Picheca, M. Prinzo, & F. Cortoni (2007)

Circles South-East: The first ten years 2002-2012

by A. Bates, D. Williams, C. Wilson, & R.J. Wilson (2013)

Can circles of support and accountability (CoSA) significantly reduce sexual recidivism? Results from a randomized controlled trial in Minnesota

by Grant Duwe (2018)

Empowering circles

by Höing, M. A. (2015)

Articles and Books

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

by Matthew Lapierre (2022)

An Ottawa group that works to curb sexual offences may have to close its doors. Please help it stay open

by Susan Love (2022)

Minding the Monster

by Ed Tubb (2015, Intro by Rachel Giese)

Breaking a Monstrous Cycle

by Jonathon Kay (2015)

Sexual Crime and Circles of Support and Accountability

Elliott, H., Hocken, K., Lievesley, R., Blagden, N., Winder, B., Banyard, P., Eds. (2018)

A Community-Based Approach to the Reduction of Sexual Reoffending

Chris Wilson, Terry Philpot, and Stephen Hanvey (2011)

The Little Book of Restorative Justice for Sexual Abuse

Judah Oudshoorn, Lorraine Stutzman Amstutz and Michelle Jackett (2015)

The Prevention of Sexual Violence: A Practitioner’s Sourcebook

Keith L. Kaufman, Ed. (2020)

Posters and Infographics

The Inner And Outer Circle

The Inner and Outer Circle

The Cost of CoSA

Understand the true cost of CoSA.

The Cost of CoSA

Myths vs. Facts

Learn common myths about individuals who have been convicted of sexual offences.

Myth vs Facts

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