CONWAY, SC (WBTW) – In 2015, South Carolina schools began implementing a new curriculum, working to prevent sexual abuse and assault. Horry County Schools took the curriculum and customized it in 2016, adapting the material for each grade level.
After numerous stories have made national news regarding figures in elected and high-ranking seats – politicians, business owners, and new anchors – being accused of inappropriate sexual behavior, school district officials say teaching children how to recognize an inappropriate or unwanted touch may help prevent the behavior in the future.
Horry County Schools Director of Health and Safety Services, Tammy Trulove said it’s important to teach students about this growing issue at a young age in order to work toward prevention.
“And I think when they look at these people that they look up to and they are not being held accountable for things, it kind of gives the students a mixed message,” expresses Trulove. “So what we are trying to do, is give them a foundation of, this is what’s right and this is what is not right and then it’s up to their moral compass.”
In 2014, South Carolina passed “Erin’s Law,” which requires public schools to implement prevention-oriented child sexual abuse program. The program teaches:
- Students in grades Pre-K – 12th grade, age-appropriate techniques to recognize child sexual abuse and tell a trusted adult
- School personnel all about child sexual abuse
- Parents & guardians the warning signs of child sexual abuse, plus needed assistance, referral or resource information to support sexually abused children and their families
With coloring, role playing and interactive web modules, Trulove said the curriculum teaches students that sexual harassment is not only unacceptable at any age, but it’s okay to tell someone about it, immediately.
“With this curriculum we are beginning to tell children that it’s not okay, it’s okay to have a voice, and it’s okay to trust someone about what’s going on,” Trulove said.
Trulove says the program is designed not only designed to help prevent abuse in the future but it’s also geared toward giving past victims assurance that it’s ok to tell a trusted adult when they’ve been abused in any way.
