Mr. Brian Dack:

If we flip risk assessment on its head, it is about what positive protective factors we can put in place. We know prosocial influences are a positive factor. We know that social acceptance rather than rejection is a positive factor. In the Probation Service we work with an NGO to provide circles of support and accountability, COSA. Volunteers are recruited, trained and supported to work with isolated sex offenders to provide a social network and social support while at the same time monitoring behaviour. An inner circle, the core member of which is the sex offender, works closely with an outer circle that consists of professionals such as members of An Garda Síochána, the Probation Service and Tusla. It is a recognition that social isolation is a risk factor. Social acceptance in some form is a protective factor. Recent research that looked at the desistance of child sex offenders in Manchester indicated employment is one of the biggest protective factors in desistance from future offending. It is contrary to social isolation and becoming totally disregarded in communities. We are not saying the ideal place for offenders to return to is their own communities because quite frequently that is where the offending took place and the perpetrator is known to the victims, their families or communities.

It is difficult for them to go back into that area. We work with our colleagues in local authorities to try to come up with housing solutions. We then try to put wraparound services in place to develop those positive factors and prevent social isolation, which leads to greater risk.