Erin Merryn is an Illinois woman who was sexually abused as a child by two different men—men she knew (which is usually the case—one was her uncle). Because of her abuse, she petitioned the Illinois State Legislature to pass what became known as Erin's Law. Erin's Law is a law requiring the public schools to implement a prevention-oriented, child-sexual-abuse program that teaches students in grades Pre-K thru 12, age-appropriate techniques to recognize sexual abuse and how to report it. Erin is visiting every state legislature and encouraging them to pass the law. To date, 37 states (74%) passed the law before it was signed into federal law. The law is now being considered by the Iowa State Legislature. According to the Department of Health and Human Services, each year, an average of approximately 63,000 children are victims of substantiated or indicated sexual abuse. The Federal Law frees up federal money for use by schools for sexual abuse education. It is imperative for states to pass Erin's Law so schools can utilize the federal funds to educate children on how to protect themselves and speak up instead of remaining silent.
The bill in the Iowa Legislature now is “House File 245.” It's easy to find and read. The bill can be found by Googling “Iowa State Legislature.” I encourage everyone to communicate with their State Representatives, Senators and Governor. Email is the easiest way, and the list of legislators is on the website with their email addresses. By clicking on the email address, you can send and email directly to the legislator and communicate your opinion. They do respond in a reasonable amount of time.
Here are a few legislators for Iowa with their email addresses, If you're on the website, hover over their name and their picture appears. Cool.
Senators:
Lee & Henry Jeff Reichman jeff.reichman@legis.iowa.gov (R)
Mahaska Ken Rozenboom ken.rozenboom@legis.iowa.gov (R)
Jefferson Adrian Dickey adrian.dickey@legis.iowa.gov (R)
Representatives:
Mahaska Holly Brink holly.brink@legis.iowa.gov (R)
Mahaska Dustin Hite dustin.hite@legis.iowa.gov (R)
Jasper Jon Dunwell jon.dunwell@legis.iowa.gov (R)
Lee Martin Graber martin.graber@legis.iowa.gov (R)
Washington Jarad J. Klein jarad.klien@legis.iowa.gov (R)
Henry Joe Mitchell joe.mitchell@legis.iowa.gov (R)
Van Buren Jeff Shipley jeff.shipley@legis.iowa.gov (R)
Wapello Cherielynn Westrich cherielynn.westrich@iowa.gov (R)
Buena Vista Gary Worthan gary.worthan@legis.iowa.gov (R)
Governor Kim Reynold's phone number is 515-281-5211, to speak with her staff.
Sexual abuse against children is such a hush-hush topic. It's kept behind closed doors. No one wants to talk about it, but it can affect a child for life (steal their childhood). The Iowa Legislature recently passed unanimously in both houses a bill to stiffen the penalties for elderly-adult abuse (unanimously!). The bill is on its way to the governor. Kim Reynolds has indicated she will sign it. We should be able to do at least the same for our state's most valuable resource—our youth.
Erin Merryn has also written books: “Stolen Innocence,” “Take Back the Night,” “Living for Today,” “An Unimaginable Act,” and “Bailey No Ordinary Cat.” Her website is erinslaw.org.
Have a good story? Call or text Curt Swarm in Mt. Pleasant at 319-217-0526, find him on Facebook, email him at curtswarm@yahoo.com, or visit his website at www.empty-nest-words-photos-and-frames.com.
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