New law requires mandatory sexual abuse education

jenny steinberg, staff writer|November 7, 2014

After six and a half years of being raped and molested by a family member and neighbor, Erin, a resident of Illinois, introduced what is now

This map represents the status of Erin's Law throughout different states in the country. Red states have already passed the law, yellow states have introduced the law, and blue states are still in the process of introducing the law. Erin's Law will make sexual abuse education mandatory for students.
This map represents the status of Erin’s Law throughout different states in the country. Red states have already passed the law, yellow states have introduced the law, and blue states are still in the process of introducing the law. Erin’s Law will make sexual abuse education mandatory for students.

called Erin’s Law to Illinois legislation. The law was passed on January 24, 2013.

 

The goal of Erin’s Law is to educate kids from the grades of kindergarten through twelfth grade about sexual abuse. The education focuses on knowing what is safe touch and unsafe touch, safe secrets and unsafe secrets, how to get away and tell people, according to erinslawillinois.org.

 

“We had these people come in and give a presentation to the social workers about [the law],” Shelia Tanner, LZHS social worker, said. “The law [states] that at all ages, kids have to be educated about what [sexual abuse] is, what to look for, and how to get help. We are working on [a program] right now.”

 

As of September 2014, nineteen states have passed Erin’s law, with eighteen more states introducing it during 2014-2015. Erin’s mission is to break the silence and stigma about sexual abuse, and help give kids a voice to try and prevent them to being abused for several years, according to Erin’s Law’s website.

 

“There’s so much sexual abuse in our society,” Tanner said. “The awareness of it will help prevent, recognize, and be proactive rather than hearing about kids suffering for years.”