I am Shannon DuBoise and I am currently in the process of completing my masters degree in Guidance and Counseling. This is intended for any professional in the educational field that would like more information about sexual violence and prevention but specifically counselors working in field of education. This is a delicate topic but very important in any aspect of education. As professionals who work with children, it is vital to have an understanding and working knowledge of how we can prevent sexual violence and respond to children if an incident should occur. I chose this topic on sexual violence and prevention because it is a vital topic that many times is ignored over overlooked, which can have a lasting effect on the health and well-being of children. 

An emerging issue on this topic is how educational professionals like teachers and counselors can not only prevent sexual abuse from happening but strengthen the response given to students. Currently, there are only procedures in place to report sexual abuse after the fact and after the damage is done. Experts on this topic report that the real need is to help students recognize warning signs and act before an incident actually occurs (Preventing Child Sexual Abuse, 2020). Advocates for sexual abuse prevention state that there are many legislative talks regarding prevention programs, training for adults and children and new ways to use technology to give children a voice when it comes to sexual abuse. In the coming years, educational professionals can have hope that new legislation can not only prevent sexual abuse but can give children more support who experienced sexual abuse (Committee for Children, 2020). 

References

Committee for Children (2020). Prevention of child sexual abuse. Retrieved from https://www.cfchildren.org/policy-advocacy/child-sexual-abuse-prevention/

Prevent Child Abuse America (2020).Preventing child sexual abuse. Retrieved from https://preventchildabuse.org/resource/preventing-child-sexual-abuse/

American School Counselor Association (2015). The school counselor and child abuse and neglect prevention. Retrieved from https://schoolcounselor.org/asca/media/asca/PositionStatements/PS_ChildAbuse.pdf

·         Department of Education, Office of Civil Rights opened an investigational probe into the City of Chicago schools regarding sexual abuse cases and reporting protocol.

·         Findings show that Chicago schools have failed to act in protecting students from sexual harm.

·         Due to the investigation with the Office of Civil Rights, Chicago schools were required to come to an agreement on future policies and protocols that must be followed. 

·         Chicago schools must abide by all federal mandates for child abuse reporting including sexual abuse.

·         Employee training must take place each year on child abuse and sexual harassment reporting. 

·         The investigation led to a review of the conduct of employees who failed to follow protocol.

·         The Office of Civil Rights mandated regular audits must be done on all reports and cases to ensure protocol and procedures were followed. 

·         A bill is sent to Illinois governor’s desk after passing in the state senate to further protect students from sexual abuse.

·         The bill would address the strongest provisions to protect students reporting sexual abuse and the procedures they are held accountable for. 

·         The bill would also take into account the failures from school officials to follow reporting procedures.

·         The bill would also give the state board of education power to suspend any educator based on allegations of misconduct and misappropriations of reporting procedures. 

·         Law was originally enacted in 1974 and most recently amended in 2019

·         Gives a federal definition to child abuse, which includes sexual abuse of a child

·         Allows funding for identification, prevention and treatment for abuse and neglect

·         Also identifies the federal role the government plays in research, evaluation and assistance and data collection

·         Establishes the Office of Child Abuse and Neglect and upholds mandates for the National Clearing House on child abuse and neglect information

·         Passed in conjunction with the Violent Crime Control and Law Enforcement Act

·         Establishes a record of law and standards for states to register sex offenders against children

·         Established new class of offender -  “sexually violent predators” or SVP’s

·         Established registration for life of SVP’s and address verification every 90 days

·         Establishes notification of SVP’s to schools and establishments that house children

·         Establishes protection of children from child predators and exploitation

·         Title V increases penalties and offenses against children especially with repeat offenders

·         Prohibits children’s information from being distributed for sexual predators

·         Criminal reform for sexual offenders of minors

·         Establishes the mandate that professional that has cause to believe a child has been abused is required to report it within 48 hours of awareness. 

·         The professional cannot delegate or rely on someone else to make the report

·         A professional can be held legally responsible and charged within the law if a case is not reported within the time frame

This district policy mirrors the Texas Family Code in that it reiterates the reporting mandate. It further states that failure to report, may result in legal action. Lastly, it states that any person who makes a report in good faith is immune from liability. 

-          American School Counselor Association. (2016). ASCA Ethical Standards for School Counselors. Retrieved from https://www.schoolcounselor.org/asca/media/asca/Ethics/EthicalStandards2016.pdfThe Code of Ethics (ASCA Ethical Standards for School Counselors, 2016) states that a counselor should develop the expertise to recognize signs of abuse. Also they should train staff to have the skills needed to recognize those signs and report them to the incident to the proper authorities. 

-          As a counselor it is vital that counselors should be able to develop skills to recognize signs that students don’t feel comfortable talking about it. If counselors can have the forethought to recognize these symptoms they can prevent further abuse and damage to the student affected. Training other teachers and staff is also an important way for teachers to gain valuable information regarding sexual abuse and how they can prevent further abuse. 

Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network (2020). Sexual Violence. Retrieved from https://www.rainn.org/ 

·         The foundation of the law against child abuse - The Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment Act (CAPTA) (42 U.S.C.A. § 5106g)

·         Crimes Against Children and Sexually Violent Offender Registration Act (Wetterling Act) (42 U.S.C. 14071(c). This act established the procedure of registered sex offenders across the country.

·         Protection of Children from Sexual Predators Act (H.R. 3494, 105^th Cong. § 1 (1998) This act established criminal reform and protection of children from child predators

·         The Texas Family Code (5 TFC § 261.001) Investigation of Report of Child Abuse. This state mandates requires that a professional has a duty to report any report of child abuse within 48 hours by calling the Tx Abuse Hotline

·         To report incidents, call the Texas Abuse Hotline at 1-800-252-5400

·         If the state reporting mandate is not followed, then the professional can be prosecuted and be charged accordingly. 

·         Counselors have an ethical responsibility to develop professional skills to recognize warning signs of sexual abuse to circumvent or prevent further abuse.

·         RAINN (Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network) is a resource to advocate for sexual violence prevention. This resource can be found at rainn.org