Governor Andrew Cuomo signed into legislation Erin's Law on Thursday. Erin’s Law is named after Erin Merryn, a sex abuse survivor and advocate. 

The law requires public schools to teach child sexual abuse and exploitation prevention classes to students in kindergarten through eighth grade. It is designed to help kids spot the warning signs of sexual abuse and exploitation and know where to go to get help for themselves or a friend. 

This legislation mandates these prevention classes include practical and age-appropriate instruction on how to recognize the warning signs of child sexual abuse and exploitation, and resources on how to find help.

The law has been within committee talks since 2011. It is sponsored by Sen. Alessandra Biaggi and Assemblyman Jeff Dinowitz.

"The passage of Erin’s Law in New York state is a monumental win that is long overdue," Biaggi said. "For years lawmakers and advocates fought for our children’s access to critical preventative resources to stop childhood sexual abuse, and today that battle is finally won."

"Sexual abuse is a nationwide epidemic that has inflicted unimaginable pain on countless children, and we must use every lever at our disposal to stop it. Many children who have been a victim of these horrific crimes or who are still suffering from abuse don't have the information or emotional tools they need to fight back," Cuomo said Thursday in a statement.

"By requiring schools to teach kids how to recognize and ultimately thwart this heinous behavior, we are giving our most vulnerable New Yorkers a voice and empowering them to protect themselves."

Lieutenant Governor Kathy Hochul also gave a statement: "No child should have to go through the lifetime of pain and suffering caused by sexual abuse and exploitation. This legislation will help to ensure young people have the knowledge and resources to help them recognize and prevent abusive behavior.

"Erin's Law builds on our continuing efforts to protect children and combat all forms of abuse across the state."

Though these lessons are designed to be age-appropriate, that does not mean this is an easy topic to approach with children. For some perspective on how children will internalize these lessons, we spoke to child psychologist Dr. Rudy Nydegger in Niskayuna. 

Nydegger says although these are difficult conversations to be had, parents must also engage their children on these topics. 

"For someone to present the information in a way that might be a little frightening for a child or something like that is a risk, but a risk that's much less of a problem than the risk of lack of information ... [For parents], I wouldn't hand off the responsibility, I would use this an opportunity," Nydegger said.

"Number one, be involved with the school, listen to what they have to say, make suggestions. But then use that too as an opportunity to bring this discussion home, to ask children questions, and to answer their questions as well. This is an opportunity for parents to be involved with a child and to be involved with the school and the process there."

The law takes effect on July 1, 2020.