How CJI Provides Accountability and Support for Sex Offenders

How CJI Provides Accountability and Support for Sex Offenders

*Content Warning: This article includes information from people who have caused and been impacted by sexual harm.

“We work with folks who admit they have caused harm,” says Kate Crozier, CJI’s Interim Executive Director. She says that is step one for sex offenders* who enter CJI’s Revive psychoeducation group. People who have caused sexual harm voluntarily attend the 12-week Revive group after they have been charged or even if they have never been charged.

Group members learn about consent, victim empathy, and healthy sexual practices. They also create a re-offense prevention plan.

“We invite a survivor into that space to share their story,” says Kate. This is part of people who have offended truly understanding and taking responsibility for the harm they caused. “We also invite someone who has offended to share their journey and the work that it takes.” After completing the education group, people who have offended are invited to join an ongoing support group.

Group members have a peer review once per year. They share their stories and others who have offended evaluate to what extent:

1. Does this person really understand how their victims were impacted?

2. Do they understand the root causes of their behaviour?

3. Do they have a plan in place so it doesn’t happen again?

Each group member receives honest feedback from their peers that helps them stay on track.

Stan** participated in the psychoeducational group and continues to be part of the support group for people who have offended. “I don’t want to hurt anyone ever again.” Stan remembers going to his basement after the first time he harmed someone sexually. He said, “What did I just do?” He was afraid to talk to anyone about it because he didn’t want to be rejected or go to jail. “I didn’t know about CJI.”

Eventually, Stan harmed more people and went to jail—which he says is fair. “When you’re in jail you lie about what you’re in for so you don’t get beaten.” Coming out of incarceration he was scared of society and stayed in a motel room for six weeks. Fortunately, he heard about CJI’s support for people who have caused sexual harm. He was nervous attending the first meeting, but soon realized it was a place he could be honest. “CJI is a safe haven where I can discuss the deviancy in mind and receive suggestions from people like myself to keep things in control.”

Stan acknowledges, “I know I have scarred [the victims] for the rest of their lives.” Stan wonders if he would have harmed fewer people if he had known there was a place like CJI to talk about his issues. Involved at CJI for many years, Stan plans to continue his journey. “At CJI, I am learning more and more tools to make a safety net not to cause any more harm.”

*At CJI we prefer to use the humanizing phrase, “people who caused sexual harm.”

**not his real name.

Skeptical? READ Can Accountability and Support for Sex Offenders Prevent Sexual Abuse?

Convinced? DONATE to CJI’s Rise for Revive campaign to raise $25,000 to help survivors