Gov. Pat Quinn on Thursday signed legislation designed to educate elementary school children about sexual assault and abuse.

The measure – known as Erin's Law – now requires schools to implement an age-appropriate sexual assault and abuse awareness and prevention curriculum for all grades, preschool through high school, starting next school year.

"My most important duty as governor is to make sure every child in Illinois is safe and healthy," Quinn said in a news release. "Sexual assault and abuse steals a child’s innocence and can be extremely psychologically and physically damaging.