Body Safety
Indiana and sexual abuse: Senate Enrolled Act 295, which updated existing law (IC 20-30-5-5.7), requires public schools, charter schools, and accredited nonpublic schools to use research or evidence-based instruction on child abuse and child sexual abuse for students in grades K–12. Instruction must be completed by December 15 of each school year.
BRIEF SUMMARY
Even previous to the passage of Erin’s Law, school counselors have always been on the front lines in the fight to prevent child abuse. We are now legally required to provide age-appropriate body safety lessons at all grade levels, as well as training all staff to recognize and prevent child abuse.
Indiana and sexual abuse: Senate Enrolled Act 295, which updated existing law (IC 20-30-5-5.7), requires public schools, charter schools, and accredited nonpublic schools to use research or evidence-based instruction on child abuse and child sexual abuse for students in grades K–12. Instruction must be completed by December 15 of each school year. See the following Guidance memo from IDOE for additional information.
KEY POINTS
- There are many books and programs available to help educate our students about sexual abuse.
- In cases where sexual abuse is suspected, it is critical that the child speak to someone trained in forensic interviewing as soon as possible to obtain a solid testimony. When a child makes an allegation, believe them and call the police or CPS right away so they can be referred to the nearest agency equipped to handle these cases.
RESOURCES
- Senate Enrolled Act (SEA) 295 – Child Abuse and Child Sexual Abuse Curricula – May 15, 2020
- Second Step has a safety bundle (elementary school)
- Early, Open, Often (from Committee for Children)
- A great program to look into is Kids in the Know. They have a website with information about the program. (elementary school)
- Dunebrook is an organization that presents to all of our elementary schools. The curriculum they received is from Terry Hall, a retired Indiana State police officer. (elementary school)
- It’s Not Your Fault from Kidsrights written by Judy Jance (elementary school)
- What’s Going to Happen by Eunice Hannah. It has 3 scenarios to choose from…neglect, physical and sexual abuse. (elementary school)
- Lauren’s Kids – Safer, Smarter Kids curriculum K-12
- Teen Lures curriculum for Grades 7-12
- Sexual Violence Prevention Curriculum Guide (Washington Coalition of Sexual Assault Programs)
- Child Safety Matters – Monique Burr Foundation
- The Protect yourself rules has great videos – http://fightchildabuse.org/
- playitsafe.org
- Prevent Child Abuse Indiana. http://www.pcain.org
- https://fightchildabuse.
org/ – free evidence based lessons for K-12
SHARED WISDOM
- Q: We are exploring our options for Body Safety presentations next year. Elementary counselors – who do you recommend?
- A: Kids Talk has an amazing Body Safety Program.
- Q: Has anyone put together something for high school students [for SEA 295]? Perhaps something that can be viewed virtually?
- A: We haven’t created lessons yet, but found these videos and plan to use them in some way. Working on the “research/evidence-based” part, but felt that these will hold students’ attention, and are the best we’ve seen in quite a while. There are several, that can be divided by grade level, probably useful at the middle and high school level.
Kids Talk usually does our presentations each year, but this year due to Covid they have provided us with virtual presentations.
- A: We are switching to the Ripple Effects program. I know that it goes to 8th grade, but I am not positive past that. We are using it through a grant with a local mental health agency. I’ve enjoyed using it with our SEL expectations, especially with the virtual students. It is all online and the teacher can work through it with the kids or it can be assigned. Here’s a link to their informational website https://rippleeffects.
com/ it looks like they do have a teen component. - A: We use Safer, Smarter Teens by Lauren’s Kids. It is for grades 6-8.
- A: We haven’t created lessons yet, but found these videos and plan to use them in some way. Working on the “research/evidence-based” part, but felt that these will hold students’ attention, and are the best we’ve seen in quite a while. There are several, that can be divided by grade level, probably useful at the middle and high school level.
- Q: Has anyone found any resources that are free?
- A: Please check out Prevent Child Abuse Indiana. http://www.pcain.org
They have local chapters throughout Indiana. - A: We used resources and videos from https://fightchildabuse.
org/ for K-6th in our building. It was great. There are evidence based lessons for K-12 on the site for FREE
- A: Please check out Prevent Child Abuse Indiana. http://www.pcain.org
CONTENT FEEDBACK
If you have suggestions, feedback, or resources, please email counselor1stop@inspiresuccess.org and let us know.