Child Sexual Abuse, Child Sex Trafficking To Be Taught In Public Schools; State Senator Wants Prevention Education

A senator from the state of Montana has passed a bill that will push for educating public school students on child sexual abuse and child sex trafficking. The senator hopes this will prevent incidents that threaten the safety and security of hundred thousand children.

Montana Republican Sen. Terry Gauthier filed Senate Bill 197 this February and it underwent first hearing on Friday, Feb. 17, with the Education and Culture Resources Committee. Gauthier also wanted the prevention education to involve parents who should be able to detect the warning signs of sex abuse or threats of sex trafficking among their kids.

"I didn't understand there was such a problem," Gauthier said, NBC Montana reports. "We have to educate people that there is a real problem out there," he added.

At least 300,000 American children below the age of 18-years-old are victims of the sex trafficking trade, according to Ark of Hope For Children. At least 28 percent of children between the ages of 14 to 17, on the other hand, experience sexual abuse in their lifetime, according to Victims of Crime.

Educators are behind the senator in pushing the bill that will be introduced in students in the fifth to 12th grade, should it get passed in the Senate. Marlee Rosentha, a sixth-grade teacher, said the proposal is a good idea and teachers can prepare lessons on child sexual abuse and child sex trafficking using language that's appropriate for grade level.

"The exposure to content that is as serious as child trafficking is important to have a dialogue about it so the more that it is talked about, perhaps the students' questions can be answered," Rosenthal said in the NBC report. She also said there should be no stigma attached in discussing these subjects with the children.

What do you think about this proposal parents? Would you support it if it was also proposed in your state?