Reps. McCaul and Wild, Sen. Cornyn Introduce Jenna Quinn Law to Help Prevent Child Abuse

WASHINGTON – U.S. Representatives Michael McCaul (R-Texas) and Susan Wild (D-Penn.) recently introduced the bipartisan Jenna Quinn Law, legislation to allow current grant funds to be used to train and educate students, teachers, caregivers, and other adults who work with children on how to prevent, recognize, and report child sexual abuse. The bill, named for child abuse survivor Jenna Quinn, is a companion to legislation introduced in the Senate by U.S. Senator John Cornyn (R-Texas).

“In Texas, we’ve already seen how increased awareness and training can help caregivers and teachers identify and report instances of child abuse,” said Rep. McCaul. “It’s long past time we implemented the same strategy nation-wide to help put a stop to this unspeakable evil, and I urge my colleagues to pass the Jenna Quinn Law without delay.”

“In Pennsylvania – and across the country – we’ve seen what happens when abuse goes unrecognized or unreported,” said Rep. Wild. “I’m proud to lead this bipartisan legislation with my colleagues to take an important step in protecting the dignity of young children from abuse and neglect and alerting the proper authorities before it’s too late.”

“All states should have the resources to invest in programs that help prevent the vicious cycle of child sexual abuse, but unfortunately, that is not always the case,” said Sen. Cornyn. “Our bill, inspired by Texan Jenna Quinn, would help increase reporting of child sexual abuse by expanding training programs for students, teachers, and caregivers to identify and help combat this harrowing epidemic nationwide.”  

Background:

Jenna Quinn has been an outspoken advocate for survivors of child sexual abuse and was the driving force behind what is now known as Jenna’s Law in Texas. Unanimously passed by the Texas State Senate and House, Jenna’s Law was the first child sexual abuse prevention law in the U.S. that mandates K-12 trainings for students and school staff and was amended in 2017 to include sex trafficking prevention education in schools. More than half of all states have adopted a form of Jenna’s Law.

After Jenna’s Law passed in Texas in 2009, a study found educators reported child sexual abuse at a rate almost four times greater after training than during their pre-training career.

The Jenna Quinn Law would:

• Authorize federal grants to eligible entities for increasing evidence-based or informed training on sexual abuse prevention education and reporting to teachers and school employees, students, caregivers, and other adults who work with children.
• Ensure these grant recipients coordinate with local educational agencies to train students, professionals and volunteers who work with students on sexual abuse prevention, recognition, and reporting. 

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