A Community-Based Approach to the Reduction of Sexual Offending

Hanvey and one of the coauthors is affiliated with Circles UK, trained volunteers who work with high-risk sex offenders to help them reintegrate into the community. Challenging the media-driven view that such offenders are essentially unlike other people, they discuss the history of the Circles groups (based on a Canadian model), what is known about the causes of sex offending, and evidence on the effects of rehabilitative treatment. Offenders and volunteers share their stories. Annotation c2012 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)

Stephen Hanvey is Chief Executive of Circles UK, the national body supporting the development, quality, coordination and effectiveness of local Circles. He is also a qualified social worker. Terry Philpot is a journalist and writer, and has written and edited several books on subjects including adoption, sex offending and work with children traumatised through abuse. He also works as a volunteer to befriend long-term prisoners. Chris Wilson is National Development Manager of Circles UK. He was instrumental in adapting the Canadian Circles model to a British context, and is also a qualified social worker. Circles UK won the Social Care and Welfare category at the Charity Awards 2011.