The Second Step Child Protection Unit will be introduced in District 93 in compliance with Erin’s Law  (Illinois, Public Act 96-1524) mandates that Illinois public schools provide training to certified staff on prevention of child sexual abuse. It also mandates that public school children pre-kindergarten through 12th grade be educated on how to protect themselves from sexual abuse.

In this unit, your child will learn the following specific skills to help him or her stay safe from dangerous or abusive situations:

• How to use the “Ways to Stay Safe” guidelines to recognize when something is unsafe, report anything unsafe to an adult, and refuse to participate

• How to always ask a parent or the person in charge first before going somewhere, doing something, or accepting something from someone

• How to recognize safe, unsafe, and unwanted touches, and how to use the Private Body Parts Rule to identify possible sexual abuse

• How to refuse and report unsafe or unwanted touches and how to report possible sexual abuse to an adult

Each grade level K-5  will have the lessons implemented during the second semester of the school year. Prior to the lessons in the classroom, parents will receive a notification letter. If you have any questions about the Child Protection Unit or the Second Step program or If you do not want your child to participate in the Child Protection Unit lessons, please contact the school Principal, Mrs. Gainer.

Program Details: Second Step Scope and Sequence

You may contact Hillside District 93 principal (Mrs. Gainer) or social workers (Ms. Dockens, Ms. Dalrymple) if you have questions about this new program.

Erin’s Law/Pillars Presentation

For 6th - 8th  grade students, District 93 will host a presentation by Pillars, a non-profit organization, on “Teen Dating Violence & Healthy Relationships.” The presentation will include education on healthy relationships, problem solving skills, avoidance of risky behaviors and the awareness of signs of unhealthy behaviors and patterns. Parents have the right to refuse participation for your child. Prior to the presentation, parents will receive a notification letter and an opt-out form. You may contact Hillside District 93 Principal, Bridget Gainer if you have questions about this presentation.
https://pillarscommunity.org

Erin’s Law/Sexual Abuse and Grooming Prevention (Faith's Law)

The District implements an Awareness and Prevention of Sexual Abuse and Grooming Behaviors Program, pursuant to State law and Board Policy. Under the newly created 105 ILCS 5/22-85.5, Faith’s Law requires school districts, charter schools, and nonpublic schools to develop an employee code of professional conduct policy by July 1, 2022.

Instruction

The District implements the “Safe @ Last” curriculum with our kindergarten through sixth grade students, and Second Step with seventh and eighth graders. These programs provide students with specific personal safety education by way of interactive classroom lessons, videos, posters, role-playing and corresponding student workbooks. Lesson components differ according to student age, and are facilitated by a social worker.

Parents will be notified by letter five days prior to instruction and will have the opportunity to opt their student(s) out of the program. Parent(s)/Guardian(s) who object to their student(s)’s participation in instruction in recognizing and avoiding sexual abuse must submit their objection in writing to the building principal.

Recognizing Signs of Grooming and/or Abuse

The District is committed to providing parents/guardians and students with resources related to recognizing grooming behaviors, appropriate relationships between District employees and students, and how to prevent child sexual abuse from happening.

Grooming can take place on-line or in person, and often involves an individual within the child’s circle of trust. RAINN, the Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network, includes the following as common warning signs of grooming may include but are not limited to:

• Victims usually selected based on accessibility or perceived vulnerability;

• Abuser may attempt to physically or emotionally separate a victim from sources of protection;

• Abuser may seek out a position that allows contact with minors;

• Abuser may attempt to gain the victim’s trust through gifts, attention, and sharing of “secrets,” to make the victim feel there is a caring relationship, and train the victim to keep secrets;

• Abuser may start with what appears to be harmless touching (hugging, wrestling, tickling) that escalates to more inappropriate touching;

• May involve on-line conduct, such as creating fake profiles and posing as a child;

• Be alert for signs that a child is engaged in a relationship with an adult that involves secrets, undue influence or control, or pushes personal boundaries.

More information is available at https://www.rainn.org/news/grooming-know-warning-signs.

• Common signs of sexual abuse may include, but are not limited to:

• Acting younger or going back to doing younger tasks and activities;

• Sudden changes in behavior;

• Fear of being alone with a certain person;

• Sudden, unexplained fears of certain places or kinds of people (such as all people with a particular feature or characteristic);

• Fear of being touched;

• Changes in quality of schoolwork or grades;

• Substance abuse;

• Physical symptoms including changes in appetite, sleep, or toileting.

For more information regarding common warning signs of sexual abuse, please visit: https://www.earlyopenoften.org/get-the-facts/signs-of-sexual-abuse/.

Board Policy 5:120, Employee Ethics; Conduct; and Conflict of Interest, prohibits employees from engaging in grooming behaviors or sexual misconduct. Examples of inappropriate conduct  include but are not limited to: a sexual or romantic invitation; dating or soliciting a date; engaging in sexualized or romantic dialogue; making sexually suggestive comments directed toward or with a student; self-disclosure or physical exposure of a sexual, romantic, or erotic nature; or sexual, romantic, or erotic contact with a student.

Employees are expected to maintain professional relationships with students. All employees must adhere to District guidelines with respect to transporting students; taking or possessing photographs or videos of students; and meeting with or contacting a student outside of the employee’s professional role.

Methods for Reporting Sexual Abuse, Grooming, or Boundary Violations

Members of the school community can report concerns related to sexual abuse, grooming, or boundary violations to any trusted adult at school, including a teacher, nurse, social worker, or school administrator. As mandated reporters, school employees must report any reasonable suspicion of abuse or neglect to the Department of Child and Family Services (DCFS). For additional information on mandated reporting, please see Board Policy 5:90, Abused and Neglected Child Reporting.

Individuals may also report concerns related to grooming or sexual abuse directly to DCFS by calling  800-25-ABUSE (800-252-2873) 24 hours per day, or by calling local law enforcement. DCFS may also facilitate a referral to the Children’s Advocacy Center (CAC). Additional information about the CAC is available in Administrative Procedure 5:90-AP, Coordination with Children’s Advocacy Center. District social workers may also provide additional community-based resources upon request.

To report grooming, sexual abuse, or boundary violations by a member of the school community, individuals may also utilize Board Policy 2:260, Uniform Grievance Procedure, or Board Policy 2:265, Title IX Sexual Harassment Grievance Procedure to make a complaint.

Available District Counseling and Resources for Students

Individuals may contact the school social worker for additional information about District- and school-based resources and services available to students affected by sexual abuse. Additional information is available in Board Policy 7:250, Student Support Services.

Curriculum, Instruction, & Assessment

Ann Marie's Law: Elyssa's Mission

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Extended Learning Program

Kindergarten