Kings Park Central School District

An illustration of a tree and a snail with the message: 'Keep telling safe adults until someone gets you help. Make sure your safe adult believes you! REMEMBER: What might have happened to you is NEVER your fault!!'

Erin's Law is named for Erin Merryn, an abuse survivor and activist against child sexual abuse who has advocated for similar laws nationwide for over a decade. Erin’s Law is intended to help children, teachers, and parents in New York State schools identify sexual abuse, and to provide awareness, assistance, referral, or resource information for children and families who are victims of child sexual abuse.

In August 2019, the State Legislature proposed, and the Governor signed Erin’s Law requiring the teaching of child sexual abuse and exploitation prevention to students in grades K-8 in all public schools.

Goals of Erin's Law

All public schools must implement a child sexual abuse prevention program that:

Teaches students grades K-8 age-appropriate techniques to recognize child sexual abuse and reporting of abuse to adults.
Includes mandated reporter training for school personnel. Requiring school personnel to report suspected child abuse or maltreatment when, in their professional capacity they are presented with reasonable cause to suspect child abuse or maltreatment.
Educate parents on the warning signs of child sexual abuse, plus needed assistance, referral or resource information to support sexually abused children and their families.

What is Erin's Law?

Erin's Law Is....

Proactive (Prevention Focused)
Body Safety and Boundaries Education
NYS Mandated-Annual Training

Erin's Law is Not...

Reactive (response to abuse)
Sex Education
Optional for school districts to implement.

An illustration of a tree and a snail with the message: 'Keep telling safe adults until someone gets you help. Make sure your safe adult believes you! REMEMBER: What might have happened to you is NEVER your fault!!'

Parent & Student Resources

Support Staff in Buildings

Social Workers, Psychologists

Mandated Reporters Hotline for Child Abuse & Maltreatment

- 1-800-635-1522
- Imminent Danger (Call 911)

Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network (RAINN)
https://www.rainn.org/about-rainn

Nation's largest anti-sexual violence organization
Created & operates National Sexual Assault Hotline
- 1-800-656-HOPE (4673)

Erin's Law
https://www.erinslaw.org/for-parents/

Barbara Sinatra Foundation
https://barbarasinatrachildrenscenter.org/
- Collaboration with Joshua Center on Child Sexual Abuse Prevention
- National campaign on child abuse awareness and prevention

NYSED
http://www.nysed.gov/curriculum-instruction/erins-law