CONGRESSWOMAN SYLVIA GARCIA INTRODUCES RESOLUTION TO PROTECT CHILDREN FROM PHYSICAL RESTRAINT AT ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS

Washington, D.C. – Today, Congresswoman Sylvia Garcia (TX-29) introduced the No Kids in Cuffs Resolution to encourage local and State governments to prohibit the physical restraining of elementary school-age children. Sadly, students are being restrained by using handcuffs, zip ties, or other restraints as a form of disciplinary measure.

"Many children have been put in adult-sized handcuffs as a form of discipline," said Congresswoman Garcia. "As a result, there have been at least 20 student fatalities since 2009 because of poor restraint techniques and children simply being too small. This is heartbreaking. We must acknowledge the trauma young children experience when they are physically restrained to create a safer learning environment for all children. This can be corrected by proper training and policies that ultimately eliminate this practice."

"By bringing parents, educators, and law enforcement together, No Kids In Cuffs is a common-sense solution towards addressing the issue of trauma in our schools," said the Minaret Foundation.

In 2017-2018, nearly 71,000 students were physically restrained. Shockingly, during that same year, while kids with disabilities only made up 13% of the student population, 80% of all physical restraints were on kids with disabilities in schools. Many students have consequently experienced suicidal thoughts and post-traumatic anxiety.

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Congresswoman Sylvia R. Garcia was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives in November 2018, becoming the first Latina ever to represent the Texas 29th Congressional District. She serves on the House Judiciary, Financial Services, and Armed Services Committees.