TO THE HONORABLE BARACK OBAMA, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES, AND TO THE PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE AND THE SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, AND TO THE SENATE AND HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE UNITED STATES, IN CONGRESS ASSEMBLED, AND TO ARNE DUNCAN, SECRETARY OF THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION, SYLVIA MATTHEWS BURWELL, SECRETARY OF THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES, UNITED STATES ATTORNEY GENERAL ERIC HOLDER, AND THE UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT ACCOUNTABILITY OFFICE:

We, your Memorialists, the Senate and House of Representatives of the State of Washington, in legislative session assembled, respectfully represent and petition as follows:

WHEREAS, The prevalence of child sexual abuse by school personnel and sexual abuse between peers is unknown, particularly because it can go unreported; and

WHEREAS, Child sexual abuse by school personnel is especially troubling given the trust placed in schools; and

WHEREAS, Sexual abuse between peers is deeply troubling given that students should feel safe at school; and

WHEREAS, Federal law and Washington State law prohibit sex discrimination, including sexual harassment and abuse, in public K-12 schools; and

WHEREAS, The United States Government Accountability Office in its report on federal agencies supporting state efforts to prevent and respond to child sexual abuse by school personnel has recommended that the Departments of Education, Health and Human Services, and Justice collaborate to compile and disseminate information to states and identify a way to track the prevalence of sexual abuse; and that the Department of Education clarify and disseminate information on how Title IX applies to personnel-to-student sexual abuse in the public K-12 school setting;

NOW, THEREFORE, Your Memorialists respectfully pray that the Congress, the President, and the Departments of Education, Health and Human Services, and Justice take action to support and implement the recommendations of the United States Government Accountability Office to address personnel-to-student sexual abuse and continue to address peer-to-peer sexual abuse; and

BE IT RESOLVED, That copies of this Memorial be immediately transmitted to the Honorable Barack Obama, President of the United States, the President of the Senate, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Arne Duncan, the Secretary of Education, Sylvia Matthews Burwell, the Secretary of Health and Human Services, Eric Holder, the Attorney General of the United States, the United States Government Accountability Office, and each member of Congress from the State of Washington.

--- END ---