Nevadans back bill aimed at child sex abuse
WASHINGTON — Two Nevada lawmakers are among sponsors of a new bill to expand federal grants for states and schools to provide training in spotting and reporting child sex abuse.
The bill would add sex abuse prevention to the list of eligible uses for money awarded through a domestic violence grant program. Twenty-six states including Nevada have passed a version of "Erin"s Law" that requires schools to teach students and workers on child sex abuse.
Reps. Joe Heck, R-Nev., and Katherine Clark, D-Mass., introduced the grant bill on Wednesday in the House. Sen. Dean Heller, R-Nev., was among sponsors of a Senate companion introduced late in June.
Child protective services agencies received 60,956 reports of child sexual abuse in 2013, but that represents only a fraction of incidents, according to Clark. Many cases are never reported to welfare or legal systems.
"In school, we teach kids what to do in case of fires, inclement weather, or other emergencies," Clark said. "It‘s only common sense that we teach them strategies to stay safe and to reach out to an adult if they are abused."
Heck said the bill would provide states and communities with money to educate students, parents and guardians how to recognize and report sex abuse.
"Keeping children in our communities safe from sexual abuse starts with educating people to recognize the signs of abuse," he said.
Contact Peter Urban at purban@reviewjournal.com or at 202-783-1760.
