Personal Safety Program

About the Personal Safety Program

The Personal Safety Program is offered for free once a year to schools in Dutchess County and provides age-appropriate, in-class instruction on sexual abuse prevention to children Pre-K through 5th grade. Similar to how students view fire drills, it is considered a “just in case” lesson. Students learn how to speak up and use their voice to protect themselves if someone breaks the personal safety rules and makes them feel uncomfortable.

In 2019, New York State passed Erin’s Law requiring that public schools provide a prevention-oriented sexual abuse program. Our Personal Safety Program is specifically designed to help schools meet those necessary requirements.

Why your school should consider the Personal Safety Program

Typically a child’s sexual abuser is someone the child knows and trusts. This is often why it can be difficult for a child to speak out and tell someone. Through the Personal Safety Program, students are taught to become good bosses of their bodies and how to differentiate between happy secrets and bad secrets. They learn that it is never their fault if someone breaks the rules, and that they should always tell a trusted adult, even if they have been told to keep it a secret by their abuser. 

3rd Grade Student in Dutchess County

Volunteer for the Personal Safety Program

We are always looking for special volunteers to help teach school-aged children about personal safety and safe touch. Volunteers will be trained by our Personal Safety Coordinator on how to give personal safety lessons at local schools. If you would like to learn more about this volunteer opportunity, please contact Kaitlyn Deragon.