Riana Taylor

CEO of Circles UK, the national organisation which oversees the development, quality assurance and effectiveness of Circles of Support and Accountability (Circles) in England and Wales. The purpose of the organisation is to prevent further victims of sexual abuse by enabling work with perpetrators of sexual abuse. Circles are delivered by Approved Providers with more than 600 community volunteers that are carefully selected, trained and continuously supported in this role. They help prevent further victims of sexual abuse by ensuring that abusers gain awareness of their behaviour, take ownership and desist from committing further sexual abuse. There is clear research evidence that Circles reduce risk of harm to others and social isolation, aid reintegration into the community and improve emotional well being, all factors that research has shown enable desistance from sexual abuse. This is done in close collaboration with statutory agencies to make sure that perpetrators are safely managed in the community - thereby keeping communities safe by preventing further victims of sexual abuse.