Erin's Law
Erin's Law is named after childhood sexual assault survivor, author, speaker, and activist Erin Merryn, who is the founder and President of Erin's Law, a registered as a 501 (c)(4) non-profit social welfare organization with the State of Illinois and the IRS.
After Erin introduced the legislation in her home state of Illinois, the bill was named "Erin's Law" after her by legislators, and it has caught on nationwide. "Erin's Law" requires that all public schools in each state implement a prevention-oriented child sexual abuse program addressing the following:
- Students in grades PreK – 12th grade are taught age-appropriate techniques to recognize child sexual abuse and to tell a trusted adult about unsafe or uncomfortable situations.
- Parents & guardians are provided with the warning signs of child sexual abuse, plus needed assistance, referral, or resource information to support sexually abused children and their families.
Examples of Presentation
Erin's Law Resources and Tools
Tip Sheet: Talking To Children And Teens
Child Sexual Abuse Prevention: Erin's Law
The Key Components of Erin’s Law
Resources for Parents
The Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) maintains a resource guide on sexual abuse response and prevention. The guide contains information on and the location of children’s advocacy centers, organizations that provide medical evaluations and treatment to victims of child sexual abuse, organizations that provide mental health evaluations and services to victims and families of victims of child sexual abuse, and organizations that offer legal assistance to and provide advocacy on behalf of victims of child sexual abuse. This guide can be accessed through the ISBE website at www.isbe.net or you may request a copy of this guide by contacting the school’s office.
Faith's Law Notifications: Employee Code of Professional Conduct
The Employee Code of Professional Conduct (Board Policy 5:120) defines, in part, appropriate conduct between school employees and students. A copy of these standards can be found on the District’s website or requested from the Superintendent's Office. (Board Policy 5:120)
Teen Dating Violence
CUSD 201 has adopted the following policy about Teen Dating Violence. POLICY 7:185
Local and State Agencies
Illinois Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS)
24-hour Child Abuse Hotline at 800-25-ABUSE (800-252-2873 or TTY 1-800-358-5117)
ICASA (Illinois Coalition Against Sexual Assault)
Prevent Child Abuse Illinois
DuPage CASA
National Agencies
Erin’s Law
Childhelp National Child Abuse Hotline
Deaf and Hard of Hearing (24 Hour) 1-800-759-8331 TTY PIN: 877-951-6528, 1-800-787-3224
National Child Abuse Helpline
National Domestic Violence Hotline
Rape Abuse and Incest National Network (RAINN)