Members of the Senate Education Committee considered implementation of personal body safety education in schools during an interim study Wednesday afternoon. Interim Study S14-038 was requested by Sen. Wayne Shaw, R-Grove.
Lawmakers were informed about Erin’s Law, which is named after childhood sexual assault survivor and activist Erin Merryn, founder and president of Erin’s Law.
“One in four girls and one in six boys will experience sexual abuse,” Merryn said during testimony before the committee. “The sad reality is kids don’t talk about that.”
Merryn, who experienced sexual abuse at a young age, talked about how children are often taught to be aware of “stranger danger” but are rarely taught about inappropriate touching, most commonly occurring by a family member.
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