Located in:
- Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF)
States that include TANF in the Combined State Plan must outline how the State will meet the requirements of section 402 of the Social Security Act including how it will:
(OMB Control Number: 0970-0145)
f. Conduct a program designed to reach State and local law enforcement officials, the education system, and relevant counseling services, that provides education and training on the problem of statutory rape so that teenage pregnancy prevention programs may be expanded to include men (section 402(a)(1)(A)(vi) of the Social Security Act)
Current Narrative:
Washington State conducts a program reaching a variety of stakeholders and partners to educate and train on the problem of statutory rape. Specific examples are highlighted below.
Please note, crimes that may be considered statutory rape in other states, are considered ‘rape of a child’ under Washington statute. This distinction was deliberate to underscore that adolescents and teens under particular ages are not able to consent to sexual acts.
In conjunction with the Washington State Association of Prosecuting Attorneys, through the WAPA/State Judicial Case Processing Task Force, Washington State has developed mandatory reporting protocol for child support cases meeting the criteria for rape of a child. TANF and other public assistance program staff receive detailed direction on how to report suspected rape of a child to law enforcement. In addition, pursuant to the Social Security Act, minor parents’ or pregnant minors’ living situation cannot include an adult parent of the qualifying child if that parent is convicted of rape of a child (RCW 9A.44.079).
The state convenes an Interagency Workgroup on Unintended Pregnancy Prevention to review current outreach programs for men and women. This workgroup makes recommendations concerning the incorporation of appropriate education about the crime of rape of a child. Washington State also has a robust sexual and domestic violence prevention approach, with the Washington Coalition Against Domestic Violence (WSCADV) & Washington Coalition of Sexual Assault Programs (WCSAP) being national leaders in prevention. Within a contract between DSHS and WSCADV, there are resources and training efforts dedicated to the “Healthy Relationships” approach, which focuses on identifying and promoting protective factors and establishing appropriate and healthy relationships.
Local sexual assault and domestic violence programs in Washington also have a significant focus on community education and prevention. The curricula seeks to increase awareness and build the skills of community members to reduce risk factors and build protective factors against rape of a child and other forms of sexual abuse. Emergency shelter contractors funded through the state’s Family Violence Prevention Services Act and Victims of Crime Act grants are required to conduct prevention and community education activities as well. Sexual assault services grantees, funded through Washington’s Office of Crime Victims Advocacy, conduct sexual violence education and prevention with key stakeholders in local communities. Key targets for these efforts include those working in law enforcement, education and mental health counseling.
Educational offerings are designed to promote healthy, safe, relationships, and address attitudes and beliefs related to a culture of perpetration and are often targeted at youth/teens.