Welcome to Episode 21 of the Social Justice Salon.

In this fascinating and important episode, we learn about the work of Circles-UK. Circles of Support and Accountability are community initiative designed to reducing sex offending among high-risk perpetrators. The CEO of Circles UK Riana Taylor joins Marianne to discuss their work.

Prior to joining Circles in 2016, Riana was the Director of Operations for two Community Rehabilitation Companies and the Deputy Chief/Director of Strategy for Thames Valley Probation in 2002. She has worked as a consultant in China and Vietnam for the UNDP and Rego Foundation and was formally part of Nelson Mandela’s first democratic government in South Africa as Chief Director of the Department of Safety and Security.

Marianne and Riana discuss the risks that can lead to sexual offending, how they can be prevented and go into detail about the practicalities of Circles-UK’s work. Riana sets out the ways in which Circles-UK and their providers and volunteers prevent sexual abuse in high-risk sexual offenders through these innovative talking circles. Circles-UK’s work shows that high-risk sexual offenders can be helped to take accountability and stop offending with community support.

Links and more info

Visit the Circles UK website

Follow Circles on Instagram , Facebook , X, Bluesky and LinkedIn

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Become a member of Marianne’s Patreon

Music by Luke Fraser at The Tonic and Artwork was by Marianne