South Carolina just became the 18th state to pass Erin’s Law. Erin Merryn is a survivor of sexual abuse who has been traveling the country and speaking out to get legislation passed to help educate and prevent sexual abuse. What does Erin’s Law do? According to her website within the schools…. “With respect to the renewal of a Standard Teaching Certificate, provides that continuing professional development activities may include participating in or presenting at in-service training programs on sexual abuse and assault awareness and prevention. Provides that the Comprehensive Health Education Program require age-appropriate sexual abuse and assault awareness and prevention education in grades pre-kindergarten through 12 along with training school staff on the prevention of sexual abuse.”
School personnel are mandatory reporters who are required by law to report any allegations of any type of abuse. Erin’s law will provide additional training for school personnel about reporting and preventing sexual abuse specifically. In addition, children will learn that schools are “safe places” to tell about abuse and to know that they will be protected. I encourage you to look at Erin Merryn’s website which has lots of information about the law as well as a sample video and a list of books and other resources. http://www.erinmerryn.net/prevention-programs.html
