Support the Helping Schools Protect Our Children Act of 2012 (S.3173), which would allow Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) Title II funding to be used to train all school personnel on how to recognize child sexual abuse.

The National Child Abuse and Neglect Data System estimates that 695,000 children were victims of child maltreatment in 2010. Out of those children, 9.2 percent, or 63,940 kids, were victims of sexual abuse; this is an increase from 7.6 percent in 2009.

Recent events have shown that warning signs of sexual abuse in children are being missed. The vast majority of states mandate that teachers report suspicions of child abuse, yet few states require teachers to participate in training. According to the National Child Abuse and Neglect Data System, 60 percent of all reports of alleged child abuse and neglect are made by professionals, but only 16 percent of abuse and neglect is reported by education personnel. Given the amount of time teachers and school personnel spend with children, and the absolute importance that the warning signs of child sexual abuse be identified, reported, and acted on, it is crucial to make sure all school personnel have access to training on how to recognize child sexual abuse.

This bill will expand the list of allowable uses for Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) Title II funding making it permissible for states to use this funding to train teachers, principals, and other school personnel on how to recognize child sexual abuse. Currently, Title II provides grants to states for a variety of purposes related to recruitment, retention, and professional development of K-12 teachers and principals.

It is essential that as mandated reporters, school personnel have the proper training to recognize child abuse. This bill will address this dangerous gap by allowing professional development funds in schools to be used to provide teachers with the tools to recognize child sexual abuse in their students.

The bill has no cost to the federal government and will not add to the deficit.

Sign this petition to show your support of the Helping Schools Protect Our Children Act of 2012 (S 3173) and get teachers the training they need to protect our children.