Senate OKs Cornyn bill to combat child sex abuse

WASHINGTON -- It was a big legislative victory for U.S. Sen. John Cornyn, R-Texas, Thursday -- his bipartisan bill to help combat sexual abuse of children passed the Senate unanimously -- but he wanted the bill's Texas namesake, Jenna Quinn, to take center stage.

In a Zoom call with reporters Friday, Cornyn and Quinn, a North Texas resident, talked about Jenna's Law, a program that began in Texas in 2009 to train teachers, students, school staff and caregivers to recognize signs of sexual abuse.

"Jenna has worked tirelessly to pass Jenna's Law in Texas at the state level to ensure that children being sexually abused can be identified and helped by teachers and other adults in whom they trust," said Cornyn, who co-sponsored the bill with Sen. Maggie Hassan, D-N.H.

"Since the Texas Legislature passed Jenna's Law in 2009, educators in Texas have reported sexual abuse at rates four times greater than before receiving the training," Cornyn said.

Quinn, a survivor of sexual abuse at a young age by a trusted family friend and coach, spoke poignantly about her own experiences as well as the desperate need for a federal program. The pandemic, she said, has made it more important than ever that teachers and others be trained because many children are being taught remotely, making it more difficult to see changes in behavior.

"Over 90% of the time it's someone that the child knows. Not only knows but trusts," said Quinn, whose perpetrator was convicted and is serving time in prison. She spoke of warning signs like, in her case, the fall-off in grades, depression and anxiety that prompted those around her to ask, "What's wrong with Jenna?"

"Oftentimes children will tell you there's something wrong without telling you," Quinn said. The program, which is designed for children in kindergarten through 12th grade, provides training to help teachers and others see the warning signs of changes in behavior. The Texas law was authored by state Rep. Tan Parker, R-Flower Mound.

There are 30 states with some version of Jenna's Law but Cornyn and Quinn said there is a need for a national awareness program as well as funding available from the Department of Justice.

"Childhood sexual abuse is a violent epidemic," she said, with 1 in 4 girls and 1 in 6 boys being abused before the age of 18. "I, unfortunately, am one of those survivors."

Quinn said that during the pandemic there has been a 40% decrease in reporting of child abuse but she said that does not mean there is less abusive behavior, only that it has remained hidden.

Quinn is a frequent speaker on the issue of child sexual abuse and wrote a book, "Pure in Heart: A Memoir of Overcoming Abuse and Passing Jenna's Law" about her experiences.

Cornyn said he would be working to get a companion bill through the House before the Nov. 3 election. And, even in the partisan climate, the Texas senator, who is up for reelection, got some kudos from his Democratic co-sponsor.

"During my time as governor of New Hampshire," Hassan said, "I worked across the aisle to sign into law a bill that mandated that child abuse prevention be taught as part of the health education curriculum. I am proud to have worked with Sen. Cornyn to strengthen these efforts on a national level by passing the Jenna Quinn Law through the Senate, and I urge my colleagues in the House to pass this important bipartisan bill without delay."

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