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Community Hubs: An Innovative and Desistance-Focused Approach to Probation for People Convicted of Sexual Offences

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International Perspectives on Gender-Based Violence

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Abstract

This chapter argues for greater use of community hubs in the supervision of people convicted of sexual offences. The chapter begins with and overview of the current state of probation, contemporary issues in the supervision of people convicted of sexual offences and desistance from sexual offending. The chapter then looks at community hubs, a collaborative and multi-agency approach to probation, exploring their application and associated research. Following this, the chapter draws together community hubs and the experiences of people convicted of sexual offences. In highlighting the potential benefits of community hubs for this specific group, the chapter suggests that the hub approach is well positioned to bridge gaps in probation practice through creating more visible desistance pathways. This work strongly supports that when addressing gender-based violence, it is vital to encourage sufficient provision for those with convictions, to both encourage desistance and prevent future harm and victimisation. Ultimately, the chapter aims to encourage further research on the use of community hubs for people convicted for sexual offences and advocates for their innovative and desistance-focused potential with this population

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Helena Kennedy Centre for International Justice, Department of Law and Criminology, Sheffield Hallam University, Sheffield, UK

    Charlotte Oliver, Andrew Fowler & Madhumita Pandey

  2. Unit 2/3, Ashley Business Court, Rotherham, UK

    Peter Brown

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  1. Charlotte Oliver
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  2. Andrew Fowler
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  3. Madhumita Pandey
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  4. Peter Brown
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Correspondence to Charlotte Oliver .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Law and Criminology, Helena Kennedy Centre for International Justice, Sheffield Hallam University, Sheffield, UK

    Madhumita Pandey

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Oliver, C., Fowler, A., Pandey, M., Brown, P. (2023). Community Hubs: An Innovative and Desistance-Focused Approach to Probation for People Convicted of Sexual Offences. In: Pandey, M. (eds) International Perspectives on Gender-Based Violence. Advances in Preventing and Treating Violence and Aggression . Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-42867-8_12

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