June 22, 2021
Dr. Shani Verschleiser, AuD, LMSW, co-founder of MagenU, commended the New York State Assembly’s nearly unanimous (143-1) vote for legislation that would mandate public schools to educate students in kindergarten through eighth grade on the prevention of SA.
The State Senate, by a unanimous vote, had already approved the bill.
Gov. Andrew Cuomo is expected to sign the legislation, and when he does, New York will become the 37th state to adopt what has popularly become known as “Erin’s Law,” named after activist and author Erin Merryn, a survivor of childhood sexual assault.
Legislators called on Shani who traveled to Albany to explain the importance of teacher and parent training with legislators and familiarized them with MagenU’s Be A Star personal safety program, the only one of its kind specifically designed for Jewish schools, parents, and children. Sections of the Bill were amended to include Shani’s suggestions.
“Be A Star” has been lauded by leading educators and by leading Rabbonim such as Reb Shmuel Kamenetsky Shlit”a, who stated that “every yeshiva must have it.”
MagenU has long been vocal in addressing the need among Jewish educators, parents, and students for greater awareness of all matters related to SA prevention, particularly the practical measures that can be implemented to protect our children from predators.
For further information about MagenU and its Be A Star safety program, visit www.magenu.org or call 718-408-7233.
