Albany, NY – A bill which had become the top priority for advocates of childhood sexual abuse survivors has now passed both chambers of the New York state legislature. Assemblyman Jeffrey Dinowitz, lead sponsor of the legislation, successfully shepherded the bill through the state Assembly and it now awaits the Governor’s signature in order to make New York the 37^th state nationwide to enact “Erin’s Law.”

The legislation establishes a new requirement for all public schools to develop age-appropriate curricula for teaching the prevention of child sexual exploitation and abuse and will apply to all public school students between Kindergarten and 8^th grade. Each program will be formulated after consultation with the department of health and should aim to provide awareness, skills, information, self-confidence, and support to aid in the prevention of child sexual exploitation and abuse. In a prevention-oriented approach, Erin’s Law aims to teach students how recognize inappropriate behavior and what do to if it happens as well as teach school personnel and parents how to recognize the warning signs of child sexual abuse and how to provide necessary assistance.

This has been a strong legislative session for protecting children from sexual abuse. In January, the legislature passed the Child Victim’s Act, which significantly lengthened the statute of limitations for legal proceedings on behalf of child sexual abuse survivors. After that was passed, advocates quickly took up Erin’s Law as their new top priority and garnered national attention from outlets such as CBS News and well-known actors such as Mariska Hargitay (of Law & Order, Special Victims Unit). Advocates of this legislation launched a persistent and focused campaign for its passage in Albany this year, including Erin Merryn (founder of Erin’s Law), Gary Greenberg (founder of Protect NY Kids), New York Progressive Action Network, ZA’AKAH, Joyful Heart Foundation, and more.

Assemblyman Jeffrey Dinowitz (D - Bronx), lead sponsor of the bill, said: “The passage of Erin’s Law is a tremendous proactive step to fight against childhood sexual abuse. No child should ever have to wonder if their abuse is normal, and this legislation will go a long way towards teaching them how to recognize inappropriate behavior and building support networks that can help them through a traumatic time. This achievement is a direct result of the incredible advocacy from our partners, especially Erin Merryn who has led this fight all across the nation, and we all owe them our gratitude for their efforts. I also want to thank Speaker Carl Heastie and Education Chair Michael Benedetto for their support of Erin’s Law.”

Assemblyman Michael Benedetto (D-Bronx), Chair of the Assembly Education Committee, said: “Keeping our children safe while they are at school is a top priority of the New York State Assembly, and Erin’s Law does exactly this. It is imperative that we not only promote justice for abuse survivors as we did in January with the Child Victim’s Act, but that we also act proactively to prevent future abuses. Thank you to the bill sponsor, Assemblyman Jeffrey Dinowitz, and all of the advocates who never gave up in their pursuit of this legislation.”

Erin Merryn, President of Erin’s Law, said: “New York legislators finally did right by the children of New York by passing Erin's Law after 7 years of the bill dying in the Assembly. I have spent the past 7 years spending thousands of hours on the phone and sending emails to legislators and reporters, dozens of media interviews trying to pass Erin's Law in New York. The children of New York will finally have a voice and be armed with the ability to speak up and tell if they have been abused because of this education they will receive once a year under Erin's Law. Assemblyman Dinowitz promised me 7 years ago when I came to Albany that he would never give up on this bill and he didn't - he kept to his promise. I told New York legislators I would never go away until they passed this. Finally after some change in leadership they did the right thing and will now be the 37^th state to pass Erin's Law. None of this could have been possible without the help of celebrities Julianna Margulies and Mariska Hargitay who personally came out in support and made the calls to legislators. Julianna who did multiple media appearances demanding lawmakers do the right thing and pass it. Gary Greenberg who created Fighting for Children PAC who worked very hard putting on pressure to lawmakers and put together many press conferences and meetings to pass Erin's Law. The passage of Erin's Law sends a message to every sexual predator in New York and that is you will not get away with silencing children.”

“Only proper education and awareness can protect our kids. Erin’s Law will complement the Child Victims Act as a necessary educational component. This bill will finally give New York’s children the tools they need to empower and protect themselves against childhood sexual abuse. Looking out for New York’s kids should be one of our highest priorities as a progressive leader of the nation. I am proud to have led the fight to champion the Child Victims Act and Erin’s Law in New York State. Let’s continue to empower our children against rampant sexual abuse, expose abusers, and break this epidemic one piece of legislation at a time,” said Gary Greenberg, a survivor of childhood sexual abuse who went on to found Protect NY Kids and play a key role in the passage of the Child Victims Act earlier this year. Greenberg’s group has held forums, press conferences, and brought Erin Merryn, the bill’s namesake, to Albany for a series of meetings.

“We are heartened to see the New York State Legislature finally taking a significant first step toward proactively preventing sexual abuse,” said Asher Lovy, director of community organizing for ZA'AKAH. “Following on the heels of the Child Victims Act, which passed nearly unanimously through the New York State Legislature, Erin's Law and the abuse prevention education it will guarantee New York's children will finally help us create and foster an environment across the state were everyone - parents, teachers, and even children themselves - are united to prevent child sexual abuse, add correctly respond when it happens.”