CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa — A bill aimed at teaching Iowa students how to recognize abuse and stay safe has failed to pass once again, leaving advocates concerned that thousands of children are missing critical prevention education.
April marks Child Abuse Prevention Month and Sexual Assault Awareness Month, a time when organizations across the state push to raise awareness and prevent abuse before it happens. For some advocates, the focus this year is also on what hasn’t changed.
Danica Haas, executive director of the Iowa Chapter of Children’s Advocacy Centers, says the proposed legislation would require schools to teach prevention education, giving kids tools to recognize unsafe situations and seek help.
The bill has been introduced and discussed for years, but has repeatedly failed to make it through the legislative process. While the exact reasons remain unclear, Haas says misconceptions about what the curriculum includes may play a role.
“A lot of times when people hear prevention, they just automatically think sexual abuse and that’s really not what it is,” Haas said.
Instead, the education would cover a wide range of topics, including bullying, online safety, and different forms of abuse, not just sexual abuse.
Advocates say those lessons are increasingly important, especially as online risks grow. Cases involving social media and exploitation continue to highlight how vulnerable children can be without proper education and support.
Currently, some organizations provide prevention programs in schools. Haas says more than 10,000 children were reached through prevention efforts in 2025, but many more are still left out.
At the same time, child advocacy centers continue to handle a wide range of abuse cases, including sexual abuse, physical abuse, neglect, and children witnessing violence.
While recent reports show a slight decrease in cases, Haas says that doesn’t necessarily mean abuse is happening less, only that fewer cases may be reported.
During April, communities across Iowa also display blue pinwheels as part of a national “Pinwheels for Prevention” campaign, symbolizing safe, healthy childhoods and the importance of prevention.
“We need to have this requirement for kids to be getting taught prevention,” Haas said.
Until then, advocates say they will continue pushing for change—while working to reach as many children as possible through existing programs.
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