S.O.S.E.N., Inc. was funded by free will donations

klpsupermom
SOSEN Staff
Member

Completed draft of grant proposal inquiry letter!!
« on: June 22, 2008, 02:10:39 AM »

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Please review the grant proposal letter of inquiry below. I am sure we will need to make a few changes including email address etc. Hopefully, it will be ready to be sent soon! Pass along a thank you to Flowergirl for her input!
Thanks,
Kathy

Linda Pehrson, CEO
S.O.S.E.N., Inc.
Post Office Box 639
Kittery, ME 03904
-http://sosen.us

U.S. Justice Fund
The After Prison Initiative Grant

To Whom It May Concern:

Please accept this letter of inquiry on behalf of S.O.S.E.N. Inc. (Sex Offender Support and Educational Network), a nationally based non-profit organization committed to facilitating the re-entry and successful re-integration of registered sexual offenders. In doing so, the organization brings to the public and legislators information from hundreds of studies and research focusing on (a) dispelling the myths created by legislators and media about registered sexual offenders and (b) how the collateral consequences created by these myths and of the Sex Offender Registry make re-entry into society difficult, if not impossible, for registered sexual offenders. Along with educating the public and lawmakers about the facts of sexual abuse, S.O.S.E.N. provides a network of support for victims and, primarily, former offenders and their relatives and friends. Our purpose in doing this is to promote community integration, and ultimately, reduce their risk for re-offense. To continue to provide current research, education and a network support system, our organization requests your support in the amount of $500,000.

The philosophy of laws related to registered sexual offenders (RSO’s), such as the Wetterling Act, Megan’s Law, and the Adam Walsh Act, is that society must be protected against a group of dangerous criminals who will always re-offend (Sample, 2008). This is an assumption often reported in the media, but one not based on empirical fact. While the recidivism rate of sexual crimes may be difficult to measure because some assaults go unreported (USDOJ; 2004), most studies find that sex offenders are rarely returned to prison for another sexual crime (CSOM, 2007; Harris & Hanson, 2004; State of New York Department of Corrections, 2001; USDOJ, 2001). While the CDC (2007), Centers for Disease Control, notes that “sexual violence perpetrators are also at increased risk of perpetrating again” (n.p.), that risk is quite low (Gwyn, 2007; Huenke, O’Connell, Price & Weidein-Gist, 2007; Ohio Public Safety, 2006; Stalans, Seng, & Yarnold, 2002; Valentine & Huebner, 2006; White-Cerns, McKelvie, & Cohn, 2007).

For example, a report by the New York Department of Correctional Services (2001) found that of the 11, 898 sex offenders released from prison between 1985 and 2001, only 251 or 2.1% were returned to prison for another sex crime. Furthermore, the Arizona Department of Corrections (2007) reported that the recidivism rate for sex offenders released from their prison system was 3.3%, and in Ohio, according to Black and Parks (2001), it was 8%. The United States Department of Justice reports that RSO’s are the least likely class of criminals to re-offend, with a recidivism rate of 3.5% (USDOJ, 2001), while Harris and Hanson (2004) found the risk for recidivating decreases over time. Finally, Moore (2006) reported that in 1999 in Ohio, 93% of those convicted of a sex offense against a child and 92% of those convicted of a sex offense against a teen were first time offenders. These statistics should bring to question who these laws are protecting.

In addition, empirical research examining Megan’s Law has generally indicated that this law is not effective (Adkins, Huff, & Stageberg, 2000; Fitch, 1006; Levenson & D’Amora, 2007; Schram & Malloy, 1995; Walker, Maddan, Vasquez, VanHouten, & Ervin-McLarty, 2005; Welchans, 2005; Zevitz, 2006) and may actually increase risk for recidivism (Wakefield, 2006). In several studies, the effect of Megan’s Law was explored by comparing the recidivism rates of sex offenders convicted prior to the implementation of the law, and therefore not subjected to community notification, with those RSO’s whose conviction dates mandate community notification. For example, Branowski (2005) conducted a study comparing the recidivism rates of sexual offenders who were subject to community notification with those who were not. While their findings suggested a 5% reduction in sexual recidivism since 1991 among those who were subject to community notification, they conclude this may not be due to community notification, but part of an overall trend in the reduction of violent crime. Also, because the crimes were declining prior to the inception of the Wetterling Act and Megan’s Law, it again calls to question whether the reduction in recidivism was due to community notification. Interestingly, and what the authors do not mention in their study, is that after an 11 year downward trend, the recidivism rates in this state began to increase in 1997, the year Megan’s Law was implemented.

Sadly, because of the misperception that RSO’s are at a high risk for recidivating, re-entry programs in the United States are not accessible for the registered sexual offender. The Second Chance Act (2008) is an example of recently passed legislation aimed to improve re-entry for those with a history of incarceration, but implicit in the Act is that it does not apply to those convicted of a sexual crime. Our government, rather than supporting successful re-entry, thus reducing the risk for recidivism, has done exactly the opposite.

Currently, registered sexual offenders are restricted in many ways. First, they are restricted in where they can live, and they are often forced to move as new regulations are created. Residency restrictions force them to the edges of society where the resources and support systems that experts have linked to successful re-entry are increasingly scarce for this population. As a result, many former offenders now find themselves having to move away from their families and support system, sometimes resulting in being homeless, re-incarcerated, or living under bridges. They cannot find work or are fired when new laws are passed that require listing of employers on the internet. In many states, they are denied access to the internet, prevented from being on school grounds or in amusement parks (when many have children), and are victims of mass community protests. Essentially, this population is increasingly dehumanized. S.O.S.E.N., Inc. realizes the necessity of working to improve the situation that many registered sexual offenders find themselves in as a result of these laws because experts have told us the factors most strongly linked to reduced recidivism are a stable home, social support, employment, and feeling a part of the community.

S.O.S.E.N., Inc. is comprised of approximately 400 members; including the Board of Directors, the Chief Executive Officer and Staff. We are committed to our mission, which is to educate the public, the media, and lawmakers regarding the facts of sexual abuse based on current research. We seek to provide support for victims, former offenders, and their families thereby reducing the risk of re-offense and allowing for “No More Victims”. S.O.S.E.N. upholds fair and just laws that are evidence based, effective and protect the Constitutional rights of all citizens. In order to accomplish our mission, we have incorporated goals to continually monitor our achievements.

Our goals are to:
• Promote education and public awareness of the facts and myths of sexual abuse and sex offenders based on current research.
• Provide a network of support for victims, former offenders, relatives and friends to reduce the risk of re-offense.
• Collaborate with victim’s rights organizations, sex offender treatment specialists, law enforcement professionals, researchers and policy makers to identify rational solutions to sexual abuse.
• Compile a resource library of documented studies and papers for use by law enforcement, legislators, advocates and victims.
• Maintain an online database of current policy for former offenders to inform and encourage compliance with requirements.

In order to increase public awareness and network on a national level, funding is needed to provide for educational supplies and professional support necessary to overcome public hysteria created by the media and replace the myths with current fact based evidence. S.O.S.E.N., Inc. seeks to provide brochures and launch widespread symposiums to educate our society and lawmakers. There is much to be done as we fight sexual abuse with education; to advocate for and provide the implementation of rational interventions to enable former sexual offenders and their family members to be contributing, and safe members of our society.
Currently, S.O.S.E.N., Inc. has been funded by free will donations. As a result of increased membership and the need for ongoing support and education on a national level, and to meet the demands of our organization and its goals, we appreciate your kind consideration in allowing us to submit a full grant proposal. Please advise if further information is needed to determine eligibility. Thank you for taking the time to review our program plan and goals.
Sincerely,
Linda Pehrson, CEO of S.O.S.E.N., Inc.