COSA Volunteers Needed in London

Volunteers Wanted!

Do you want to tackle prejudice and ignorance around issues of harmful sexual behaviour and learning disabilities and autism in our society? You can break the cycle of abuse and reduce the risk of sexual offences in your community by supporting an individual with a learning disability and/or autism who has displayed sexually harmful behaviour.

Building on the pioneering work of Circles UK, Respond offers Circles of Support and Accountability (COSA) for young people & adults with learning disabilities who have harmful sexual behaviour or have committed sexual offences.

Circles of Support and Accountability (COSAs) are a community response to sexual offending and Respond is looking for volunteers that, working alongside our therapists and campaigners, can help individuals with harmful sexual behaviour build a safe, positive and purposeful life which does not put others or themselves at risk.

COSA volunteers support people with autism and learning disabilities who display harmful sexual behaviour not only to resettle into the community, but also to develop their self-confidence and skills such as the ability to express their emotions and understanding feelings and behaviours from the perspective of others. At the same time, volunteers act as ambassadors, spreading awareness and fighting prejudice.

  • Can you spare one evening a week (meetings usually last for an hour) for the next 18 months?
  • Are you over 21, empathetic and with good communication skills?
  • We need people from all walks of life. As most of the core members are male, we particularly welcome male volunteers.

    • Full training, support and supervision provided.

    To learn more about this innovative and rewarding project:

    Contact Lorenzo at Respond on Lorenzo.picco@respond.org.uk or call 020 7874 5488

    ‘Being a COSA volunteer at Respond was one the most rewarding and challenging experiences of my life. I highly recommend it for anyone interested in community safety and looking for a way to prevent sexual violence.’ (Former volunteer).

    Video resources: