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:
- Age-appropriate student instruction in child sexual abuse and sexual violence prevention
- 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
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