Proposed legislation would require child sexual abuse prevention be taught in schools
Proposed legislation would require child sexual abuse prevention ... Wisconsin Public Radio
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Two Republican Senators Propose Legislation to Include Childhood Sexual Abuse Prevention Strategies in Schools
Wisconsin Senators Andre Jacque, R-DePere, and Rick Gundrum, R-Slinger, are seeking co-sponsors for a bill known as Erin’s Law, which would require schools offering human growth and development courses to include childhood sexual abuse prevention strategies. This legislation is named after Erin Merryn, a survivor of childhood sexual abuse. If passed, Wisconsin would join 38 other states that have adopted this law.
Empowering Child Victims to Seek Help
The aim of the legislation is to empower child victims to seek help. Senator Jacque stated that the goal is to provide a safe environment for students to become aware of exploitation and abuse and to have the ability to come forward to someone they trust.
Child Sexual Abuse Statistics in Wisconsin
According to the Wisconsin Department of Children and Families, in 2021, 3.4 per 1,000 children in Wisconsin were victims of maltreatment, with sexual abuse being the second most common form. The majority of child sexual abuse victims are girls aged 12 or older.
Requirements of Erin’s Law
The proposed law would require school districts with human growth and development curricula to teach students, parents, and school personnel the warning signs of childhood sexual abuse and how to speak up if a child is being abused. Currently, curriculum recommendations include teaching students how to recognize, rebuff, and report unwanted or inappropriate physical or sexual behavior. Erin’s Law would upgrade these recommendations to requirements with a specific emphasis on childhood sexual abuse prevention education.
Advocacy for Erin’s Law
Erin Merryn, the legislation’s namesake, is an advocate, author, and speaker who travels the country advocating for Erin’s Law to be passed in every state. She has dedicated her life to ending childhood sexual abuse.
Progress in Adopting Erin’s Law
Wisconsin is among 11 states considering adopting Erin’s Law. Currently, 38 states have already made it law.
Success Stories from States with Erin’s Law
States such as Maryland, Oregon, and South Carolina have reported that children who received personal body safety training in school, as required by Erin’s Law, have confided in adults about their own abuse. This highlights the importance of preventative education in empowering children to speak up.
Challenges and Opposition
In Ohio, Erin’s Law faced opposition from groups such as the Center For Christian Virtue. However, after a fight, the law was passed in December 2022, making Ohio the latest state to adopt Erin’s Law.
Importance of Educating School Personnel
Carmen Pitre, the president and CEO of Sojourner Family Peace Center, emphasizes the importance of training school personnel to notice and report child sexual abuse. She highlights that many child victims report their abuse to educators and that reporting is a crucial step towards relief, healing, safety, and security.
The Role of Parents in Prevention
Joyce Felker, the executive director of the Parenting Network, supports preventative education and emphasizes the role parents play in teaching their children about boundaries. She emphasizes the importance of letting children know that their bodies are their own and that they should speak up if someone makes them feel uncomfortable.
Erin’s Law in Neighboring States
Erin’s Law has already been passed in several neighboring states, including Minnesota, Illinois, and Michigan.
Overall, Erin’s Law aims to provide students with knowledge and strategies to prevent childhood sexual abuse before they find themselves in vulnerable situations.
SDGs, Targets, and Indicators
| SDGs | Targets | Indicators |
|---|---|---|
| SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being | Target 3.7: By 2030, ensure universal access to sexual and reproductive health-care services, including for family planning, information and education, and the integration of reproductive health into national strategies and programs. | Indicator not mentioned in the article. |
| SDG 4: Quality Education | Target 4.7: By 2030, ensure that all learners acquire the knowledge and skills needed to promote sustainable development, including among others through education for sustainable development and sustainable lifestyles, human rights, gender equality, promotion of a culture of peace and non-violence, global citizenship, and appreciation of cultural diversity and of culture’s contribution to sustainable development. | Indicator not mentioned in the article. |
| SDG 5: Gender Equality | Target 5.2: Eliminate all forms of violence against all women and girls in the public and private spheres, including trafficking and sexual and other types of exploitation. | Indicator not mentioned in the article. |
| SDG 16: Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions | Target 16.2: End abuse, exploitation, trafficking, and all forms of violence against and torture of children. | Indicator not mentioned in the article. |
1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?
- SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being
- SDG 4: Quality Education
- SDG 5: Gender Equality
- SDG 16: Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions
The issues highlighted in the article are connected to these SDGs because they involve promoting good health and well-being, providing quality education, ensuring gender equality, and addressing abuse and violence against children.
2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?
- Target 3.7: By 2030, ensure universal access to sexual and reproductive health-care services, including for family planning, information and education, and the integration of reproductive health into national strategies and programs.
- Target 4.7: By 2030, ensure that all learners acquire the knowledge and skills needed to promote sustainable development, including among others through education for sustainable development and sustainable lifestyles, human rights, gender equality, promotion of a culture of peace and non-violence, global citizenship, and appreciation of cultural diversity and of culture’s contribution to sustainable development.
- Target 5.2: Eliminate all forms of violence against all women and girls in the public and private spheres, including trafficking and sexual and other types of exploitation.
- Target 16.2: End abuse, exploitation, trafficking, and all forms of violence against and torture of children.
The article’s content aligns with these targets as it discusses the importance of sexual abuse prevention education, promoting knowledge and skills related to preventing abuse and violence, and eliminating violence against children.
3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?
No, the article does not mention or imply any specific indicators that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets.
4. SDGs, Targets, and Indicators
| SDGs | Targets | Indicators |
|---|---|---|
| SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being | Target 3.7: By 2030, ensure universal access to sexual and reproductive health-care services, including for family planning, information and education, and the integration of reproductive health into national strategies and programs. | Indicator not mentioned in the article. |
| SDG 4: Quality Education | Target 4.7: By 2030, ensure that all learners acquire the knowledge and skills needed to promote sustainable development, including among others through education for sustainable development and sustainable lifestyles, human rights, gender equality, promotion of a culture of peace and non-violence, global citizenship, and appreciation of cultural diversity and of culture’s contribution to sustainable development. | Indicator not mentioned in the article. |
| SDG 5: Gender Equality | Target 5.2: Eliminate all forms of violence against all women and girls in the public and private spheres, including trafficking and sexual and other types of exploitation. | Indicator not mentioned in the article. |
| SDG 16: Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions | Target 16.2: End abuse, exploitation, trafficking, and all forms of violence against and torture of children. | Indicator not mentioned in the article. |
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Source: wpr.org
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