CJI helps sex offenders (people who have offended sexually) in making safe, healthy choices through support groups and one-to-one services. Revive serves both men and women.
Groups and Services for People Who have Offended Sexually
GROUPS:
Revive groups are a safe, confidential space to talk about and receive support around offending behaviour. Meeting with peers reduces isolation and stigma while promoting healing. The purpose is to assist group members in making healthier choices moving forward. To participate, people must complete an intake appointment and be ready to begin accepting responsibility for their actions. Two trained facilitators guide each support group. There are no fees to participate in Revive groups.
Individual Support is available to help individuals participate in groups effectively.
Education Groups
Revive’s 12-week Educational Group is for persons who have sexually offended.
There are no new groups scheduled for the fall and winter of 2024 due to funding limitations. If you would like to learn more about this opportunity and future group dates and be added to a waitlist, contact Kate at katec@cjiwr.com or call 519-744-6549 ext. 230.
Peer Support Groups
People who have offended sexually meet weekly to discuss issues related to sexual offending, gain greater understanding of impact on victims, and to develop a sexual offence prevention plan. They also reduce isolation and learn positive coping strategies through self-disclosure and accountability with peers.
If you’d like to be involved or learn more, contact Kate at katec@cjiwr.com or call 519-744-6549 ext. 230.
** Note, due to funding limitations, peer support groups are on hold until further notice.
Peer Support Group for Intimate Partners of People Who Have Offended Sexually
Please do not copy, re-record or broadcast the above video without the express consent of CJI.
A weekly education and support group for partners who have chosen to stay with people who have offended, as well as the families of people who have offended. See above video to hear the story of a woman whose husband was convicted of sexual assault. Hear about her choice to stay with her husband, her struggles, and how the Partners group helped.
Participants experience reduced isolation from the vicarious stigma they often encounter, through supportive conversations with others who face similar challenges. Education focused on related themes of healthy communication/sexuality/boundaries, rebuilding trust, and understanding sexual offending behaviour are provided to participants prior to joining the peer support group.
An Education group is also offered when there is an expressed need and the required number of participants.
Inclusive to all genders and orientations. There are no fees to access this group.
Contact Julie Schelter at 519.744.6549 ext. 295
Blended Support Groups for those who are both offenders and survivors of sexual harm (Psycho-educational & Peer Support)
Revive offers two groups for men who have both experienced and caused sexual harm. The groups promote healing and help men develop an inclusive understanding of their sexual lived experiences . With enhanced self-awareness, participants are supported in making healthier sexual decisions moving forward. Revive provides a safe, confidential setting where Blended men reduce their isolation, where healing and hope is fostered.
The Blended psycho-education group is a 14-week group focusing on themed discussions about male sexual victimization, incorporating the impacts of causing sexual harm.
The Blended peer support group is a 7-week group. Participation is not time-limited, and there are no fees for participants. This group provides group members with the opportunity to address their various complex identified needs related to both having experienced and caused sexual harm. Contact Kate at katec@cjiwr.com or call 519-744-6549 ext. 230.
It was better than I expected. Close knit, very emotional, (we were) allowed to express our feelings without being judged. I am not alone in what I feel, and having the experience heightened my empathy for my victim.
With pornography offenses it’s harder to “know” the victim, but impact stories shared in group, helped me understand that the proliferation of illegal porn is caused by demand of offenders….which leads to more victims. This program helped me ‘connect the dots’, it really helped me understand myself more. I am really glad I attended.
Being a partner of someone who has offended sexually can be isolating, challenging, stigmatizing and full of fear and uncertainty. This group provides a solace from all of these things.
Other Services:
Facilitated Dialogue is a personalized process for individuals, families and community groups (e.g. faith communities) impacted by sexual trauma. For example, a dialogue can include a survivor of sexual trauma, the person who harmed them, as well as others affected by the abuse, like siblings, parents, close friends and partners. Trained facilitators meet with each participant in advance to ensure safety and respect for all involved. A Facilitated Dialogue can take many forms, including face-to-face meeting, letter writing, or video conferencing.
Speakers Bureau
As part of their healing process, persons who have offended sexually and survivors of sexual violence document and share their personal story of harm and healing to community audiences.
Referrals to community services.
Call Jennifer Beaudin at 519-744-6549 ext: 209 or email jenniferb@cjiwr.com to arrange an intake appointment.
During our 40+ year history, we have continuously responded to community needs by creatively, and innovatively applying restorative justice principles to new problems. We believe the only limit to the power of restorative justice is the capacity of the human heart to change and grow.
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