A sexual abuse survivor is lobbying to get a new law passed in Iowa to teach kids about blowing the whistle on child molesters.
Erin Merryn is behind a nationwide campaign to require age appropriate sex abuse awareness in schools.
Called Erin’s law, it requires age-appropriate sex abuse awareness in schools from pre-K through high school.
“I know tornado drills, bus drills, fire drills, the DARE program, but no one ever gave me the education on personal body safety,” she said.
Merryn, 30, was first abused at the age of 6 at a sleep over at her friend’s house.
“It was during an overnight. My very first overnight at her house, the uncle came into the bedroom and sexually assaulted me for the first time,” she said at a speaking engagement in Bettendorf on Friday.
Later, she was molested for years at family gatherings by an older cousin.
“Why I didn’t tell is, both these men told me over and over, ‘This is our secret. I know where you live, I’ll come get you. Nobody will believe you,'” she said.
The Western Illinois graduate and Schaumburg native was the keynote speaker at the Rising Up Against Sexual Violence luncheon at the Waterfront Convention Center.
She says Erin’s Law is in place in Illinois schools and 18 other states. She will lobby for its passage in Iowa in January. Please pray that the law is passed in January.
Erin Merryn is behind a nationwide campaign to require age appropriate sex abuse awareness in schools.
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| Erin Merryn CSA survivor and campaigner - God bless her |
“I know tornado drills, bus drills, fire drills, the DARE program, but no one ever gave me the education on personal body safety,” she said.
Merryn, 30, was first abused at the age of 6 at a sleep over at her friend’s house.
“It was during an overnight. My very first overnight at her house, the uncle came into the bedroom and sexually assaulted me for the first time,” she said at a speaking engagement in Bettendorf on Friday.
Later, she was molested for years at family gatherings by an older cousin.
“Why I didn’t tell is, both these men told me over and over, ‘This is our secret. I know where you live, I’ll come get you. Nobody will believe you,'” she said.
The Western Illinois graduate and Schaumburg native was the keynote speaker at the Rising Up Against Sexual Violence luncheon at the Waterfront Convention Center.
She says Erin’s Law is in place in Illinois schools and 18 other states. She will lobby for its passage in Iowa in January. Please pray that the law is passed in January.
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