Most children in Arizona's public schools have participated in fire drills. They're taught to stop, drop, and roll if they catch on fire, or to huddle in a corner during lockdowns. These practices are ingrained and essential for their safety. However, an insidious danger continues to threaten the well-being of countless Arizona children: sexual abuse. Sadly, many of these children are unable to articulate their experiences, further complicating escapes from abusive environments.

The time has come to implement a proactive solution: Erin's Law-guided, age-appropriate Child Abuse Prevention Curriculum throughout all K-12 schools in Arizona. This form of body safety education represents the first vital defense against the horrors some children endure.

Erin's Law has set standards that are empowering children across the country with the language and knowledge they need to understand and report instances of abuse, allowing them a chance to reclaim their safety and innocence. States that have adopted Erin's Law have reported increases in the identification and prevention of abuse, equipping students with crucial skills to seek help.

Incorporating this curriculum into Arizona's schools could transform lives by educating children, teachers, and parents on recognizing and addressing abuse situations before they escalate. With proper implementation, these lessons can be seamlessly integrated into existing school programs without disrupting the current curriculum, ensuring a smooth and effective execution.

Attempts to enact this law in Arizona have been unfruitful. To date, it’s up to school districts to implement their own curriculum on the subject. There’s nothing formal on the books in Mesa Public schools. We can do better! In a perfect world,  all children would be taught about safe vs unsafe touch by their parents, but sadly many of the abusers are family members of their victims. School may be the only opportunity for these precious children to find a way out. 

Every child deserves a safe environment and the tools needed to protect themselves from harm. By mandating this preventive education, we are investing in a future where children are empowered and abuses are caught and addressed early. This change can drastically reduce the long-term psychological trauma experienced by child abuse survivors, contributing to healthier, more supportive communities across our state.

Join us in urging Arizona's lawmakers and educational authorities to prioritize the safety and well-being of our children by establishing an annual, age-appropriate Child Abuse Prevention Curriculum in line with Erin's Law guidelines in all K-12 schools. Sign this petition to let our children know they're never alone.