Quinn Signs Law to Require Sex Abuse Awareness Programs in Schools

WKMS | By Whitney Jones

Published January 25, 2013 at 12:59 PM CST

A new law is requiring all Illinois public schools to have sexual assault and abuse awareness programs. Gov. Pat Quinn signed the requirement Thursday, effective immediately. Age appropriate programs will be instituted for pre-K, elementary, middle and high school students. Erin’s Law is named after Illinois native Erin Merryn who was a victim of sexual abuse as a child and is trying to pass the law in all 50 states. Five states have already implemented earlier versions of Erin’s Law, but Illinois is the first to pass legislation that comprehensively addresses child sex abuse education statewide.

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Whitney Jones

Whitney grew up listening to Car Talk to and from her family’s beach vacation each year, but it wasn’t until a friend introduced her to This American Life that radio really grabbed her attention. She is a recent graduate from Union University in Jackson, Tenn., where she studied journalism. When she’s not at WKMS, you can find her working on her backyard compost pile and garden, getting lost on her bicycle or crocheting one massive blanket.

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