Ohio recently passed Erin's Law, Senate Bill 288, becoming the 38th state to do so.

Erin’s Law is named for Erin Merryn – who was sexually abused and raped by an adult neighbor from ages 6-8 and then by an older teenage cousin from ages 11-13.  Both threatened her if she did not stay quiet.  Erin’s Law mandates specific instruction to student in grades K-12 to include child sexual abuse prevention, dating violence prevention, and sexual violence prevention.  Instruction must include recognizing dating violence warning signs and characteristics of healthy relationships.

To provide instruction meeting Erin’s Law requirements, Little Miami Local Schools is partnering with the Child Advocacy Center of Warren County to implement the Child Safety Matters curriculum for all students in grades K-6. 

Our aim is to provide engaging, fun, developmentally appropriate lessons that educate and empower students to prevent, recognize, and respond appropriately to bullying, cyberbullying, child abuse, relationship abuse, digital abuse, and other digital dangers. A trained facilitator will be implementing the program in classrooms. 

Additionally, students in grades 7-12 will receive mandatory instruction as a part of their required health course, teachers will use lesson plans from Maximum Freedom. As per Erin’s Law, instruction and information provided cannot be connected in any way to any individual, entity, or organization that provides, promotes, counsels or makes referrals for abortion or abortion-related services. All parents will have the option to opt their child out of this instruction through a provided form.