Rep. Tarr Renews Call for Passage of Erin’s Law Legislation
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 16, 2015
JUNEAU – There are three days left in the first session of the 29th Alaska Legislature and vital legislation called Erin’s Law is still stalled in committee. Erin’s Law could immediately empower children to protect themselves from harm.
“Passing this bill would ensure that our children are given the resources and knowledge to defend themselves,” said Tania Zamora-Dey, an advocate for Anchorage’s Standing Together Against Rape (STAR). She testified on Senate Bill 37 Tuesday in the Senate Education Committee. “Putting more police on the streets will not impact a crime that happens all too much within the safety circle of our children. Giving our children the knowledge and confidence will be the root of fighting back on child sexual abuse.”
Erin’s Law is named after child sex abuse survivor Erin Merryn, who visited the legislature last year. The law has been proven in many other states to prevent child sexual abuse by requiring public school districts to offer prevention curriculum.
“Alaskans want Erin’s Law and they want it now,” said Representative Geran Tarr (D-Anchorage) who introduced Erin’s Law last session. “I’ve received over 80 emails within the past two days from Alaskans across the state asking that Erin’s Law be implemented for Alaska’s children. Any delay in implementing Erin’s Law means more children at risk.”
Erin’s Law is needed to address the disturbingly high number of child sexual abuse cases in Alaska. The Office of Children’s Services is reporting there were 290 allegations of child sexual abuse in March. There have been a total of 1,592 child sexual abuse allegations since the start of the school year.
For more information about Erin’s Law contact Rep. Geran Tarr at (907) 465-3424.
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