Washington, D.C. – The House Committee on Education and the Workforce passed Congressman Nathaniel Moran’s (R-TX-01) legislation to prevent child abuse, H.R. 7233, the Jenna Quinn Law of 2024. This bill would authorize existing grant funds to be used to train and educate students, teachers, school employees, caregivers, and other adults who work with children on sexual abuse prevention. The legislation is named for Jenna Quinn, a Texan who survived child abuse as a young child.
Congressman Moran introduced this legislation with Congressman Michael McCaul (R-TX-10) and Congresswoman Susan Wild (D-PA-07). In February, the U.S. Senate passed a companion bill unanimously that was led by Senator John Cornyn (R-TX).
“This bill comes at a critical time,” said Congressman Moran. “Child sexual abuse has become a silent epidemic. It is one of the most underreported crimes in the nation. Tragically, more than 90 percent of children who are the victims of sexual abuse know and trust their abuser. Instead of serving as a safe haven for these kids, these trusted adults misuse their positions at the life-changing expense of these kids.”
In America alone, there are an estimated 42 million survivors of sexual abuse. This is one in four girls and one in 13 boys nationwide. More than 90 percent of children who are the victims of sexual abuse know and trust their abuser.
According to a study, after Jenna’s Law passed in Texas in 2009, educators reported abuse at a rate of almost 4 times more after receiving education and instruction about abuse. Currently, more than half of the 50 states in America have adopted legislation to reflect this Texas statute.
“While child sexual abuse is a criminal epidemic, one part of the solution to this tragic reality can be found through preventative education,” continued Congressman Moran. “Education, combined with a comprehensive set of prevention policies, is an important tool to prevent child sexual abuse. School personnel report 52 percent of all identified child abuse cases classified as causing harm to the child. This is more than any other profession or organization, including child protective services and the police. For that, we are grateful to our partners in education.”
“Over the past year, I have had the privilege to meet and get to know the namesake of this bill – Jenna Quinn,” said Congressman Moran. “She is an incredibly brave woman from Texas, and she has an incredible story of recovery. Because of Jenna’s tireless work, bravery, and dedication, the Texas legislature passed the Jenna Quinn Law which led to more education for educators, students, and parents to help them identify early warning signs of child abuse.”
“Each life is precious, and each life deserves protection,” concluded Congressman Moran. “I am confident that this legislation will prevent the evil of child sexual abuse more than we are today. And, it will help identify children who have experienced or are currently experiencing that and will find pathways of healing for them.”
The Jenna Quinn Law of 2024 would authorize the Department of Health and Human Services to allow federal grants to be used for 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.
In addition, Congressman Moran’s legislation would 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.
Click HERE to view Congressman Moran’s full remarks
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