"I am a different man now” Sex offenders in Circles of Support and Accountability: A prospective study
Höing,M.A. Vogelvang,B. Bogaerts,S.
Höing,M.A.
Vogelvang,B.
Bogaerts,S.
Abstract
In Circles of Support and Accountability (CoSA), a group of trained and supervised volunteers support a sex offender (core member in a circle), with the aim of supporting the core member’s transitions toward full desistance. A prospective, multi-method design was used to explore psychological and social transitions in core members. Data were collected at the start of their circle, after 6 months, and after 12 months. Qualitative data were collected in semi-structured interviews with 17 core members and a total of 29 professionals, and analyzed with Kwalitan, a computer-assisted program for qualitative data analysis. Quantitative data were assessed with self-report questionnaires for sex offenders. Mean differences between t0, t1, and t2 were tested with repeated-measures ANOVAs. Qualitative results indicated improvements in reflective skills, openness, and problem-solving skills, as well as social skills, agency, and self-regulation. Quantitative results documented improvements in emotion regulation and internal locus of control, and positive trends in self-esteem and coping skills. Due to the small sample size, our results must be interpreted with caution. Core members as well as professionals reported a unique contribution of circles to their process, but this claim needs further confirmation.
Description
Date
2017
Journal Title
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Volume Title
Publisher
Research Projects
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Keywords
SDG 16 - Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions
Citation
Höing, M A, Vogelvang, B & Bogaerts, S 2017, '"I am a different man now” Sex offenders in Circles of Support and Accountability : A prospective study', International Journal of Offender Therapy and Comparative Criminology, vol. 61, no. 7, pp. 751-772. https://doi.org/10.1177/0306624X15612431