CT Magazine July 2014 Highlights Erin's Law to Educate All Youth in CT About Personal Safety, At Last!

There are many key aspects of our society and schools, faith groups and social groups that need a 'makeover'. Relationships are becoming better understood. The need for safety and respect is being highlighted. No one piece of information or policy will be a cure-all.

But everyone needs a fair start and support system for personal safety at home, work, school and in life. This includes privacy and awareness of sexual abuse which is what Erin's Law would cover for all children in school so if boundaries are violated, any child would have support in getting protection.

Many groups should be signing on to personalize this message of Erin's Law to assist the Women and Children as well as Men in staying safe at all ages and stages of life. Better buddy systems which keep a closer watch on all youth from infancy on (and encourage safety for pregnant women who are at a higher risk for harm if in abusive relationship(s). 

Consider the difficulty of a low-income woman needing help to  maintain a pregnancy and rear an infant.  If a woman is not getting help from her 'partner' or her 'family', she can be more at risk to neglect herself or even use drugs or allow for self-harm. 

She may leave her child with unsafe people...and likely needs a lot help to learn about the help and funding available, complete forms to apply and renew benefits, find and afford housing and much more.

 If children are born at low birth weights and under stress, they are prone to more kinds uphill battles for healthy growth, brain development and safe living. These are known patterns, so the communities should make every effort to include every woman and mother in a wrap-around set of outreaches and services for good care.

 Yes, the men too need and deserve support. All children receiving basic good care and safety plans for self-care at home, school and in groups and in public would make the 'game rules and playing field' more fair and productive. One video called Critter Jitters was developed over 30 years ago by Karen Kisslinger to address child safety. (See ways to support a fund in her memory at for www.karenkisslinger.org ). Back in the late 1980s she and I had an article in the Millerton News (NY) which showed us watching the video our little ones. 

 In the lively video, children showing the ways 'animals react to things that bother them'.  The 20-minute program shows children learning to use their voices to 'say no' and get away (or just try to get safe and tell someone may be an alternative they could learn and more could use for any situation or person who is making them feel uneasy or afraid, stressed or worried.) Every family, school, daycare, library, faith and other kind group could promote some guidelines and 'go-to' people for anyone to speak to if anyone is bothering them or if they would rather not interact with someone but find it hard to say that or arrange for that.

Guests could be introduced to any setting as a place or group feels would be appropriate and have a 'screening tool' in place which ideally could be done well in advance ( a week or at least a few days.)Volunteers could also be assessed with CORI background checks and have a reference or other criteria before joining in programs directly, but ideally ways could be found to include more people than not in terms of assisting with programs and allowing youth and families to have healthy networks and support.

Share more ideas on www.livfully.drupalgardens.com on Crafting Clear Safety PLANS which promotes parents voluntarily networking with their schools and towns to supervise all youth under 18 in appropriate ways, with more 'checks and balances' of what is allowed for activities, driving and socializing. Not allowing any youth to do things without parental (and really a mother's) permission would make sense. Also all types of outings should be safe and sensible such as a Scout manual would advise. 

Sadly, too many youth die from risk-taking and 'just being kids' with few adults seeking ways to prevent such repeat losses such as drownings, drunk-driving, drug use and other dangerous factors. 

Divorce and custody battles, domestic abuse and violence as well as tending to mental health needs and appropriate 'police' or emergency responses should be up for review in every community if not home. Thanks for the leadership anyone takes in braving these difficult topics and realities.