Caputo, Giblin & Vainieri Huttle Bill Improving Sexual Abuse and Assault Awareness Education Heads to Governor’s Desk

(TRENTON) – Educating students about consent and sexual assault, legislation sponsored by Assembly Democrats Ralph Caputo, Thomas Giblin and Valerie Vainieri Huttle that would require each school district to incorporate age-appropriate sexual abuse and assault awareness and prevention instruction in grades preschool through 12 heads to the Governor’s desk.

Under the bill (A-769), this education would be a part of the district’s implementation of the New Jersey Student Learning Standards in Comprehensive Health and Physical Education.

The Commissioner of Education, in consultation with the New Jersey Coalition against Sexual Assault, Prevent Child Abuse New Jersey, and other entities with relevant expertise, would have to develop age-appropriate sample learning activities and resources. The commissioner would have to provide the material to school districts to implement this requirement.

The bill is modeled on legislation adopted in a number of other states. The legislation is often referred to as “Erin’s Law” in honor of Erin Merryn, who was a child victim of sexual abuse and has been advocating for the passage of the legislation to better educate and empower children.

“It has become painfully clear how rampant this is, and how important it is to educate young people about sexual abuse so they can protect themselves,” said Caputo (D-Essex). “By having these conversations, we are reaffirming that abuse is not okay and no one should have to suffer in silence.”

“Predators often use the innocence and vulnerability of young people against them,” said Giblin (D-Essex/Passaic). “Educating children from an early age about what entails sexual abuse can help empower children to speak up and prevent other children from being victimized.”

“The trauma caused by sexual abuse is often deep and long-lasting. By educating school-age children about what constitutes sexual abuse and how they can protect themselves, we can save these children from the painful aftermath,” said Vainieri Huttle (D-Bergen).

This measure recently passed the Assembly in February with a vote of 73-0 and gained full approval from the Senate on Monday.