Reducing high harm and ending violence against women and girls are priorities of my Police and Crime Plan. While sexual offences are committed against both genders, it is largely a crime impacting women. Police records show that nationally, the victim is female in 86% of sexual offences.

I have said before that’s it is not up to women to find ways to ‘stay safe’ and that women should ‘feel’ safe, whether that’s when they are in their own homes or out with friends for a night out. It is incumbent on all of us to do all we can to make that ‘feeling of safety’ a reality. We must push for change across our society and tackle deep issues which lead to men committing crimes against women. Getting to the root of this behaviour is the only way we can deal with the problem and that is why the work of Circles South West is important.

In this newsletter, I am passing over to Circles Coordinator Tim Johnson, to explain how Circles South West is helping us to work towards no more victims of sexual abuse and sexual violence in Dorset:

Circles South West’s vision is ‘No More Victims’ of sexual abuse in Dorset. Our dedicated volunteers work with both adults convicted of sexual offences and young people with harmful sexual behaviour.

There are a small number of people who serve life sentences for the most heinous crimes. The majority are released and must purposefully reintegrate into their community and need help doing so, to reduce risk and possibility of reoffending. That is where Circles of Support and Accountability step in, engaging with someone seeking to live without harming, rather than rejecting them.

We have 21 active volunteers who are currently supporting four adults and two young people across Dorset. Volunteers form peer support groups with a ‘core member’ of the Circle, who meet regularly for one year. The aim is to reduce emotional loneliness, model appropriate adult relationships, support safe integration, encourage positive progress and hold people to account for their behaviour.

For those aged 10 to 17, the focus is on providing a social network to reduce isolation, enhance self-esteem and develop independence skills. This is especially important if they have been excluded from school or barred from attending youth clubs and group activities. Our work with one child in Dorset last year helped them back into mainstream education. A young person’s circle will be far more focused on support but for adults, there is a greater focus on accountability.

For those aged 18-20, we can help practically by supporting their search for employment or housing. Circles identify and emphasise core members’ strengths rather than shaming them further, so they move forward on a better path than the one they took before.

I am aware that the topic of rehabilitating sex offenders is a contentious one. But I have seen first-hand the way core members are able to turn their lives around with our help and firmly believe everyone deserves a second chance if remorse and a willingness to change are shown. 

Locking people up and throwing away the keys is not realistic. Our goal is to improve the lives of core members through upskilling, to make them more valuable within society because we want them to live happy and fulfilled lives. However, that is a by-product of us achieving our ultimate target, which is to reduce the risk of high harm on victims. 

Statutory agencies such as the police or probation service supervise sex offenders upon release, but Circles offer an extra risk management layer in which local people can be involved in their safe integration into the community. We know a person is more likely to reoffend if they are annexed off, and less likely to reoffend if they dedicate themselves to self-growth, have good mental health and feel valued within their community.

Our most recent research shows that 70% of core members improved on managing thoughts and behaviours at the end of their circle, 75% had decreased feelings of isolation and loneliness, and 85% improved their wellbeing scores. But, most importantly of all, only 4 out of 104 core members were reconvicted during their circle over a six-year period across the South West, while the reduction in risk of reoffending between start and end of circles is proven to be statistically significant.

Thanks to Tim for his comprehensive insight. I recognise the sensitivity of this piece. For me the value in this approach is shown in the last paragraph which highlights the reconviction rate – this programme reduces reoffending and makes our county safer. I am determined to assist Dorset Police in their aim to drive down rates of sexual assault in our county and I will engage with any group that wants to help achieve this aim and can make a positive difference.

Circles South West has volunteering opportunities available now, with training in November, January and March and would welcome interested Dorset residents and workers to contact them for more information.

We also acknowledge that many sexual offences go unreported. I encourage anyone who has been the victim of an offence recently or historically, to come forward, whenever you are ready, and speak to Dorset Police so you can start to get the help and support you need. 

If you would like to learn more about Circles South West or sign up to become a volunteer, please visit: www.circles-southwest.org.uk.