NCJ Number
176883
Date Published
1997
Length
217 pages
Annotation
This collection of articles and readings explores the concepts and experience of the Canadian aboriginal community of Hollow Water and how its community-based efforts to address sexual abuse through offender treatment and victim healing rest on the philosophy and traditions of the Ojibwa culture.
Abstract
The collection is organized into four circles: (1) the Ojibwa circle of tradition and change; (2) the offender circle, which focuses on current approaches to sex offender treatment with non-Aboriginals and their relevance for Aboriginal offenders; (3) the victim circle, which focuses on psychological victimization effects the treatment techniques; and (4) individuals' reflections on the Hollow Water experience. The introduction notes that Hollow Water is a small community, so victims and victimizers are in regular daily contact. The people of Hollow Water do not believe in incarceration. Instead, their Community Holistic Circle Healing (CHCH) addresses sexual abuse directly. Offenders face their responsibilities with the love, respect, and support that the Anishnabe people believe are due to all creatures. CHCH in Hollow Water has taken 48 sex offenders into its healing process; none have completed the healing process, but only 2 have been charged with subsequent sex offenses. Lists of suggested readings