Circles of Support and Accountability (CoSA) Service

This MRJC-supported service is a community-based initiative that operates on restorative justice principles.  Circles of Support and Accountability (CoSA) assists people who have served a prison sentence for a sexual offence or multiple sexual offences, and who request our help to prevent them from committing another sexual offense.

The first CoSA was implemented in Hamilton, Ontario in 1994.  This movement was started by Mennonite Pastor Harry High, who befriended a mentally disabled sex offender who had served time in prison for sexual offices throughout his lifetime.  Another chronic sex offender was released in Toronto a few months later to great public outrage, and circles were formed to shelter each of these men, and to prevent them from causing any further harm.

Based on the success of the pilot circles, which kept the two released former offenders from committing further sexual offences, this Made-In-Canada the Circle rehabilitation and support model has spread to cities in countries around the world including in the United Kingdom, Europe, Brazil and Korea to name a few.  The success of the CoSA model is largely based on the support and commitment of a group of well-trained volunteers, and the full support that they receive from the communities, where the Circles operate.

Edmonton is one 19 cities that operate roughly 200 Circles across Canada.   The Circles have an aim to prevent further victimization through accountability and to assist former offenders in their quest to become productive and steadfast members of society.

MRJC provides CoSA Edmonton with office space and administrative/funding support.

MRJC and CoSA Edmonton work in partnership with Corrections Canada, Alberta Mental Health Services, Native Counseling Services of Alberta, The Mustard Seed, the Edmonton Police Service, the John Howard Society of Edmonton, the Sexual Assault Centre of Edmonton and Bosco Homes.

For more information on CoSA Edmonton, check out our website at www.cosaedmonton.com.

To support MRJC and the amazing work of CoSA Edmonton and our efforts to build safe and peaceful communities, make a donation below and designate CoSA Edmonton as the beneficiary.

Make a donation to CoSA (via MRJC - under "Message" type CoSA), here.