Section 1527: Child Exploitation Awareness Education: Guidelines & Suggested Resources

Note: Beginning with the 2015-2016 school year, each school entity may:

(1) Develop an age-appropriate child exploitation awareness education program and incorporate such program into the school entity's existing curriculum for students in kindergarten through grade eight; and (2) Include training in child exploitation awareness in its professional development plan submitted by to the secretary for approval pursuant to section 1205.1; provided that a school entity shall provide four (4) hours of such training every five (5) years for professional educators assigned to teach courses into which child exploitation awareness education has been incorporated.

Model Curriculums

SafeSecureKids.org
Safe Secure Kids is an educational program created by a partnership between the Pennsylvania Coalition Against Rape (PCAR) and d'Vinci Interactive. Their interactive website offers resources to help parents, caregivers, teachers, and other adults communicate with the children in their life to prevent child sexual abuse. Resources include free learning activities for children and adults to complete together, as well as handouts, videos, and tips for adults. Topics include consent and asking for permission, setting and respecting boundaries, understanding feelings, and identifying and talking to trusted adults. Appropriate grade levels: 2-5.

Care for Kids
A health-based curriculum for children from 3-8 years old. This well-researched curriculum helps stakeholders understand the link between healthy sexuality education and child sexual abuse prevention.

We Care Elementary
A curriculum for children in grades 3-6. Each grade has developmentally appropriate lessons on topics related to healthy relationships like communication, feelings, and boundaries.

Sexual Abuse Free Environment for Teens (SAFE-T)
A curriculum that promotes healthy relationships and behaviors in middle school communities (grades 7 & 8), helping youth identify those areas that put them at risk for being hurt and for hurting others.

Resources

Erin's Law
This law was first introduced in Illinois by Erin Merryn, a victim of sexual abuse. Listed are the Key components of the law (PDF) annotated bibliography, research brief, literature review and an online special collection

Professional Development/Teacher Training Guidelines and Education Materials

Guidelines for prevention programs (adults) (PDF)
Items to consider when reviewing or selecting effective programming

Guidelines for prevention programs (children) (PDF)
Items to consider when reviewing or selecting effective programming

Child Sexual Abuse Prevention Information Packet
This information packet was developed for sexual violence prevention educators, advocates, and their allied partners in public health and other disciplines. The packet contains resources to support the prevention of child sexual abuse and draws from: research on child sexual abuse prevention programming, child sexual abuse risk and protective factors, and the public health model of prevention. The packet includes an overview [1],technical assistance bulletin [2], technical assistance guide on programs for adults [3], technical assistance guide on programs for children [4], resource list [5], annotated bibliography [6], research brief [7], literature review [8] and an online special collection [9].

Primary Prevention Curricula for Grades PreK-6 | Grades 7-12. Both programs are evidence-based, multi-session and include Presenter Training Modules, age-appropriate/sequential Scripted Lesson Plans/Class Discussions, interactive class activities, practice scenarios and role-playing, worksheets/handouts, follow-up activities, School Posters and Parent Components (including Orientation Letter, PowerPoint presentations, handouts and 20 pp Think First Parent Guide/Let's Talk Teens parent handbook, with helplines.)

KidzSmartz
A child safety program that educates families about preventing abduction and empowers kids in grades K-5 to practice safer behaviors. This program offers resources to help parents, caregivers, and teachers protect kids by teaching and practicing the 4 Rules of Personal Safety