Two State Senators Proposing Legislation that Would Require Schools Teach Childhood Sexual Abuse Prevention Strategies

Thursday, August 31st, 2023 -- 12:00 PM

(By Margaret Faust, Wisconsin Public Radio) Two Republican senators are proposing legislation that would require schools offering human growth and development courses to include childhood sexual abuse prevention strategies. 

According to Margaret Faust with Wisconsin Public Radio, Wisconsin Sens. Andre Jacque, R- DePere, and Rick Gundrum, R- Slinger, are looking for co-sponsors for a bill colloquially known as Erin's Law.

If passed, Wisconsin would join 38 other states who have adopted the legislation named for Erin Merryn, a survivor of childhood sexual abuse. Jacque said the aim of the legislation is to empower child victims to seek help.

"We should hopefully provide a safe environment for students to become aware when they are being exploited and abused and that there's the ability to come forward to somebody that they trust," Jacque said.

In 2021, the Wisconsin Department of Children and Families reported 3.4 per 1,000 children in Wisconsin were victims of maltreatment, with sexual abuse is the second most common form. Most victims of child sexual abuse are girls 12 or older.

The law would require school districts with human growth and development curricula to teach students, parents and school personnel the warning signs of childhood sex abuse and how to speak up if a child is being abused.

In 2018, the CDC reported that 97.3 percent of secondary schools in Wisconsin required students to take at least one health education course. Curriculum recommendations for the courses include teaching students how to "recognize, rebuff, and report" unwanted or inappropriate physical or sexual behavior. The lessons also teach students where to go for help if they have been victimized. 

Erin's Law would upgrade those recommendations to requirements with an emphasis on childhood sexual abuse prevention education. "There's certainly difficulties in terms of people coming forward. We're trying to find ways to let people know that they're not alone," Jacque said.

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 said ending childhood sexual abuse is her life's purpose. Wisconsin is among 11 states considering adopting the legislation.

Thirty-eight states that have made it law. According to the Erin's Law website, children in Maryland, Oregon and South Carolina confided in adults about their own abuse after receiving personal body safety training in school, part of what Erin's Law requires. 

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