Sex Offender Management Team

SMART Grant 2010-2012 Comprehensive Approaches to Sex Offender Management            

Download the Community Safety Presentation Flyer (pdf)

Goals and Objective
The Sex Offender Management (SOM) Team in King County is a multidisciplinary team that provides support for the safe, successful integration and management of sex offenders in communities. The group is focused on educating citizens and providing prevention information, as well as developing strategies to address the practical realities of the issues and concerns that arise when sex offenders transition back into communities following incarceration.

The SOM team began in June 2001 and brings together the disciplines of law enforcement, corrections, prosecution, housing providers, juvenile rehabilitation administration, faith communities, victim advocates and sex offender treatment specialists. This collaboration is an example of proactive approaches that gives community’s confidence and empowers citizens to keep their communities safe.

History
More than twenty years ago, community members were not informed when newly released sex offenders transitioned back into communities. In 1990 much of that changed with the passage of the Community Protection Act. Access to information increased, which also created new anxiety for communities, many with children and other vulnerable populations. Understandably, many resisted the inclusion of sex offenders in their own neighborhoods. Recognizing the gaps this resistance created, the SOM Team was established to help address successful integration of sex offenders into communities, while also focusing on the safety and education of the residents.