• What is Erin’s Law?

    Erin’s Law is named after childhood sexual assault survivor and author, Erin Merryn.  She is the founder and President of Erin’s Law, which is registered as a non-profit organization with the State of Illinois and the IRS.

    After Erin introduced sexual abuse prevention legislation in Illinois, the bill was named “Erin’s Law” by legislators. As of January 2023, Erin’s Law has been passed in 38 states. South Carolina was the 16th state to adopt sexual abuse prevention legislation that requires schools to provide age-appropriate instruction for students beginning in four-year-old kindergarten. Section 59-32-20(B) of the South Carolina Code of Laws was amended June 2014 (H.4061, Act 293) to state that school districts shall select or develop instructional units in sexual abuse and assault awareness and prevention, with separate units appropriate for each age level from four-year-old kindergarten through twelfth grade. Erin’s Law education focuses on age-appropriate information on good touch/bad touch, when to tell a secret, and identifying trusted adults in their lives who they can talk to for help. Please contact your child’s principal or school counselor for more information.

    Data compiled in 2022 by the South Carolina Coalition Against Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault states that 42% of all sexual abuse cases in South Carolina involved children under the age of 18 years old. An overwhelming majority of victims knew their offender. Additional statistics and resources can be found by visiting their webpage:

    Please visit the Erin’s Law webpage for additional resources and for tips for talking to your child about sexual abuse prevention.

    If you suspect a child is being abused, please notify your local law enforcement agency or the Department of Social Services. Reports to the Department of Social Services can be made anonymously by calling 1-888-CARE4US or 1-888-227-3487. Please call 911 to report a life-threatening emergency.