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Bill would require schools provide information to 6-12 graders about sexual assault

Brian Rawson-Ketchum
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https://flic.kr/p/5L2k5v

A new bill in the state Senate would require schools to give students in grades 6-12 information to help them identify sexual assault and harassment.

The proposal is part of a larger package of bills being reintroduced this session that was inspired in part by the Larry Nassar sexual abuse case.

Democratic State Senator Stephanie Chang is a bill sponsor. She said her particular bill comes from working with students in her district who were survivors or knew survivors of assault or abuse.

“Girls and boys in school really need more information and education in schools about what sexual assault is, what sexual harassment is, and what are the resources to seek help from.”

Chang said 1 in 9 girls under the age of 18 experience sexual assault. She said it’s important for schools to provide information to students about where they can go for help or counseling.

“What this bill would do is make sure that every single student, grades 6-12, gets educational material about what sexual assault is, about the available resources in their community and in their school district.”

Chang said the measure would require that part of the information provided make it clear to students that being a target of sexual assault or abuse is not a victim’s fault.

She said getting students information about how to identify sexual assault and where to go for help is critical to changing the culture around sexual abuse.

Chang said she introduced similar legislation while serving in the House. The bill passed out of the House at that time but failed to clear the Senate.

Now that she’s serving in the Senate, Chang said she’s hopeful her bill will pass through the legislature.