Sexual Abuse Prevention in Schools Proposed

Moms & Dads- Ohio Legislature has proposed sexual abuse prevention in house bill number 105 for Ohio’s Kindergarten-12th grade.

In April, a bipartisan bill sponsored by P.Scott Lipps and Brigid Kelly was proposed regarding two key components:

1. Age-appropriate student instruction in child sexual abuse and sexual violence prevention
2. In-service training for school staff regarding child sexual abuse prevention (free resources provided by the Ohio Department of Education)

The Ohio Alliance to End Sexual Violence has reported, “Only 10% of child sexual abuse is committed by a stranger; therefore, focusing prevention efforts on “stranger danger” and sex offender registries is ineffective at preventing or stopping the majority of child sexual abuse.”

Kindergarten-6th grade

• Age-appropriate instruction for child sexual abuse prevention including resources and available counseling for kids who have been sexually abused.

7th-12th grade

• New curriculum addressing sexual violence prevention education to be included along with previously mandated:
  • dating violence prevention
  • opioid abuse prevention
  • organ and tissue donations
  • physical education
  • fine arts, including music
  • first aid/CPR

House Bill 105 was referred to the primary and secondary education committee in less than a month since the proposal of House Bill 123 regarding school safety.

Local child abuse and neglect statistics	Calls Received	Incidents Confirmed
Ashland County Department of Job and Family Services’ 2019 report	1,126	624
Stark County Department of Job and Family Services’ 2020  report	6,122	2,762
Tuscarawas County Department of Job and Family Services’ 2018 report	975	327

Reporting

Hotlines are available to anonymously report suspected child abuse or neglect.

Agency	Phone
Stark County Job & Family Services	330-455-5437
Stark County: COMPASS Rape Crisis Hotline	330-452-1111
Tuscarawas County Job & Family Services	330-339-7791.  Select Option 4
Tuscarawas County: Noah’s Hope	330-364-2777
Tuscarawas County: COMPASS Rape Crisis Hotline	330-339-1427
Ashland County Job & Family Services	419-282-5000

---

Check out the good Noah’s Hope is doing in Tuscarawas!

---

Tara Ziegler

Reporting