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, (5) appropriate relationships between District employees and students based upon State law, and (6) how to prevent child sexual abuse.

Board Policy 3580: Awareness and Prevention of Child Sexual Abuse and Grooming Behaviors

Posted on the Illinois State Board of Education’s website is information and a resource guide about the warning signs of child sexual abuse, grooming behaviors, and employee-student boundary violations with evidence-informed educational information that also includes:

1. Assistance, referral, or resource information, including how to recognize grooming behaviors, appropriate relationships between District employees and students 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 authorities; 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.