Senator Linda Newell/Rep. Beth McCann
1 in 4 girls and 1 in 6 boys are sexually abused before the age of 18.
93 percent of children know their abuser
Background:
- Legislation that first began in Illinois in 2010 is now spreading nationwide as each state begins to implement educational programs for students, parents, and teachers on preventing, recognizing, and reporting child sexual abuse.
- Erin Merryn, survivor of rape (by a family friend from age 6-8) and incest (by a cousin from age 11-13), first began advocating for such legislation after she published her first book, Stolen Innocence: Triumphing Over a Childhood Broken by Abuse: A Memoir.
- 21 states have already introduced this important legislation and it is time for Colorado to join the ranks and show predators that we will not tolerate child sexual abuse.
- Most parents and school officials are not taught how to support child victims of sexual abuse when such difficult situations arise or are suspected.
Bill Components:
While many other states versions of Erin’s Law mandate curriculum to be taught to children, parents, and teachers, SB 15-020 only requires the School Safety Resource Center to collect, house, and have available the training to those school
personnel or districts that would like to participate.
- The curriculum, materials, and training would cover the awareness and prevention of child sexual abuse and assault.
- Professional development materials for school personnel and parents.
- Age-appropriate materials for children K-12 will include techniques to recognize personal body safety and learning to feel safe telling adults when they have had those boundaries crossed.
- The coordinator in the School Safety Resource Center will also offer inperson and/or online training for school personnel and parents and publicize and make available online the materials, training, and curricula.
- An educator who receives this training may use it to meet the requirements for renewing his/her educator license.
- The coordinator will also have the authority to seek gifts, grants, or donations to offset the costs for schools that need or want the training, but may not be able to afford.
Supporters of SB15-20
Erin Merryn, Author and Child Sexual Abuse Survivor
Colorado Department of Public Safety
Colorado Coalition Against Sexual Assault
Colorado Coalition Against Domestic Violence
Denver Child Advocacy Child Center
Karen Addison, R.E.A.L. Relationships
The ARC of Colorado
Kidpower of Colorado
County Sheriffs of Colorado
Parenting Safe Children
Children’s Hospital Colorado
Colorado Children’s Alliance (of children’s advocacy centers)
Littleton Public Schools
Colorado Association of Police Chiefs
Colorado Organization for Victim Assistance (COVA)