We are facing a funding crisis for the Circles of Support and Accountability (CoSA) program.

CoSA is jointly funded by our federal government and individual CoSA sites (e.g. MCC) and unless federal funding beyond March 2022 is secured, 25% of the 15 CoSA sites across Canada risk closure and the remaining sites face a reduction in programming. Approximately 100 individuals will no longer receive our services. CoSA's impact and sustainability are on the line.

CoSA addresses a critical issue affecting all our communities – the traumatic impact of sexual assault and other sex offences on vulnerable people and the crucial need for effective prevention strategies.

CoSA’s community-based program is also cost-effective, leveraging thousands of volunteer hours. CoSA trained volunteers represent a savings of up to $3 million dollars annually to the criminal justice system. The benefits that CoSA offers cost 10% of keeping someone in federal prison, 18% of the cost of provincial incarceration, and are much less expensive than probation and parole.

Please email your MP today (suggested text below) to ask that CoSA sites in your community and across Canada secure ongoing sustainable funding of $2.5 million.

List of Ontario MPs and emails available here

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Dear MP,

I want to ask for your public support for a small expenditure that is likely to prevent a significant number of sexual assaults and victimizations in Canada. I stand with Circles of Support and Accountability Canada (CoSA), in asking for your support for $2.5 million dollars per annum in the upcoming Federal Budget.

CoSA addresses a critical issue affecting all our communities – the traumatic impact of sexual assault and other sex offences on vulnerable people and the crucial need for effective prevention strategies. By offering community-based, volunteer led circles to people convicted of sex offences who are designated high risk when released from prison, CoSA represents a vital link in reintegration programming for this population. CoSA may be the only option for those who have committed sexual offences released at warrant expiry to access support while being held accountable for their actions as they adjust to returning to the community.

The research is overwhelmingly clear: A 2018 study demonstrated that participating in the CoSA program significantly reduced sexual recidivism, lowering the risk for new sex offences by 88%. Twenty-eight studies in several countries show that CoSA dramatically reduces reoffending. Supporting and expanding CoSA prevents further sexual victimization. CoSA has the potential to prevent the victimization of 200 or more Canadians annually and achieve all measures in Bill C228.

CoSA’s community-based program is cost-effective, leveraging thousands of volunteer hours. CoSA trained volunteers represent a savings of up to $3 million dollars annually to the criminal justice system. The benefits that CoSA offers cost 10% of keeping someone in federal prison, 18% of the cost of provincial incarceration, and are much less expensive than probation and parole.

But unless funding beyond March 2022 is secured, 25% of the 15 sites risk closure and the remaining sites face a reduction in programming.

Your public support and ‘yes’ vote supporting CoSA Canada in the forthcoming Federal Budget will achieve all measures in Bill C228 as well as some results contained in the Mandate Letter to the Minister of Public Safety. Most importantly, it will contribute to the prevention of further sexual assaults and victimizations in Canada.

At this time we implore you in your role with the federal government to do what you can to ensure that CoSA sites in your community and across Canada secure ongoing sustainable funding of $2.5 million.

Sincerely,