2017: Erin’s Law

The Junior League of Wilmington

How can we make a difference?

Surely that’s a question with great relevance for any Junior League. For the Junior League of Wilmington, the answer turned out to be public affairs.

Last year, Delaware became the 28th state to pass a version of Erin’s Law, which requires age-appropriate child sexual abuse education for all K-6 students in Delaware’s public and charter schools as well as related training for teachers and other staff members.

That was the culmination of a two-year effort.

Members spent much of 2015 researching the issue, forming a League task force, raising awareness within the community, and securing a sponsor in JLW Sustainer and state Senator Margaret Rose Henry.

After more hard work by JLW and its members, Erin’s Law was signed in August 2016.

Both Delaware Governor Jack Markell and Senator Henry give JLW full credit to making that happen. Even better, Erin Merryn – the childhood sexual assault survivor, author, speaker and activist whose name Erin’s Law bears – agrees!