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Erin's Law Toolkit
Health Safety Education Information

Erin's Law

What is Erin's Law?

Erin’s Law, or Illinois Public Act 097-1147, requires public schools to provide child sexual abuse prevention education for children in pre-kindergarten through twelfth grades.

Why is Erin's Law important?

Age-appropriate instruction will help students recognize unsafe situations, keep themselves safe, and how to respond to unsafe situations. Common themes instructed at all grade levels include:

  • Identifying safe versus unsafe or unwanted touching

  • The Safety Rule About Touching (The Touching Rule): Private areas are not for others to touch, except to keep a child clean and healthy

  • 3 Safety Steps (Say “No!”, Get Away, Tell Someone)

  • Understanding the difference between good and bad secrets

How will Erin's Law be fulfilled?

Peoria Public Schools is proud to partner with the Center for Prevention of Abuse to meet the requirements of this law. In addition to classroom instruction, the Center for Prevention of Abuse can also be found making presentations at our District's Parent University events.

PreventEd: Sexual Abuse Curriculum Details

PreventEd: Sexual Abuse is a unique body safety and abuse prevention program serving school-aged children Pre-K through 12th grade and explores the differences between normal physical contact (safe touches) and child sexual abuse (unsafe touches). Each individual presentation is based on the four body safety rules: “Say No, Get Away, Tell Someone, and Be Believed,” and helps children identify safe adults to talk to if they are in danger or experiencing abuse. Once the 30–45 minute age-specific body safety programs are completed, the students will have received the prevention education required by “Erin’s Law.”

Recognizing that parents play a key role in protecting children from abuse, CFPA's violence prevention programs include parent education and encourage parental involvement within offered prevention programs and services. Education components offered help to inform parents about child sexual abuse topics including, but not limited to, characteristics of offenders, grooming behaviors, and how to discuss this topic with their children.

Each month at Parent University, a representative from the Center will provide a brief overview of Erin’s Law and the components of what will be covered with students during the course of the school year. Parents will also be given materials with opportunities for additional training topics.

DID YOU KNOW THAT ERIN'S LAW...

  • Resulted from a state task force

  • Passed in January of 2013 for implementation beginning with the 2013-2014 school year

  • Was part of HB 6193, Section 3 –Comprehensive Health Education Program

CONTACT

Dr. Ann Bond, Director, Special Education and School-Based Social-Emotional Learning

Email Ann Bond

309-672-6752