Awareness and Prevention of Child Sexual Abuse and Grooming Behaviors

Child sexual abuse and grooming behaviors harm students, their parents/guardians, the District’s environment, its school communities, and the community at large, while diminishing a student’s ability to learn. The Board has a responsibility and obligation to increase awareness and knowledge of: (1) issues regarding child sexual abuse, (2) likely warning signs that a child may be a victim of sexual abuse, (3) grooming behaviors related to child sexual abuse and grooming, (4) how to report child sexual abuse and grooming behaviors, (5) appropriate relationships between District employees and students based upon state law, and (6) how to prevent child sexual abuse.

To address the Board’s efforts to increase awareness and knowledge of these issues, prevent sexual abuse of children, and define prohibited grooming behaviors, the Superintendent or designee shall implement an Awareness and Prevention of Sexual Abuse and Grooming Behaviors Program. The Program will:

  1. Educate students with:
    1. An age-appropriate and evidence-informed health and safety education curriculum that includes methods for how to report child sexual abuse and grooming behaviors to authorities, through policy 6:60; and
    2. Information in policy 7:250, including information about: (i) District counseling options, assistance, and intervention for students who are victims of or affected by sexual abuse, and (ii) community-based Children’s Advocacy Centers and sexual assault crisis centers and how to access those serving the District
    3. Information on personal health and safety education pursuant to state law.
  2. Train District employees about child sexual abuse and grooming behaviors by January 31 of each school year in accordance with state law, with materials that include:
    1. A definition of prohibited grooming behaviors and boundary violations pursuant to policy 5:120;
    2. Evidence-informed content on preventing, recognizing, reporting, and responding to child sexual abuse, grooming behaviors, and employee-student boundary violations consistent with policies 2:260, 2:265, and 5:90; and
    3. How to report child sexual abuse, grooming behaviors, and employee-student boundary violations pursuant to policies 2:260, 2:265, and 5:90
  3. Provide evidence-informed information to parents/guardians in student handbooks about the warning signs of child abuse, including child sexual abuse, grooming behaviors, and employee-student boundary violations, including:
    1. Assistance, referral, or resource information, including how to recognize grooming behaviors, appropriate relationships between school personnel and students based upon policy 5:120, and how to prevent child sexual abuse from happening;
    2. Methods for how to report child sexual abuse, grooming behaviors, and/or employee-student boundary violations to law enforcement authorities and DCFS; and
    3. Available counseling and resources for children who are affected by sexual abuse, including both emotional and educational support for students affected by sexual abuse, so that the student can continue to succeed in school pursuant to policy 7:250.
  4. Provide parents/guardians of students in any of grades K through 8 with not less than five days’ written notice before commencing any class or course providing instruction in recognizing and avoiding sexual abuse, as well as the opportunity to object in writing.

Adopted: September 19, 2022
Revised: April 24, 2023