Protection of Minors at Columbia

Reporting Suspected Abuse and Maltreatment of Minors

If you believe that a minor may have been abused or maltreated, you must take the following steps:

• If a child is in immediate danger or you require emergency assistance, call 911.
• If you suspect child abuse or maltreatment:
• Call the New York State Child Abuse & Maltreatment Hotline: 800-342-3720 and
• Call the Department of Public Safety: 212-854-5555 (Morningside) or 212-305-7979 (Medical Center).

You are also strongly encouraged to notify the appropriate program director.

Policy: Reporting Suspected Abuse and Maltreatment of Minors

This policy creates an independent duty for members of the Columbia University community who interact with, supervise, chaperone, or otherwise oversee minors in programs or activities at the University or sponsored by the University to report immediately in they have reasonable cause to suspect abuse or maltreatment of individuals under the age of 18.

Any members of the Columbia University community may report abuse if they suspect that a child has been abused or maltreated.

Access the policy here.

Flyer: Protection of Minors

We encourage you to download, print, and post this flyer in areas that have programs or activities involving minors. This flyer highlights the duty of members of the Columbia University community who interact with, supervise, chaperone, or otherwise oversee minors in programs or activities at the University or sponsored by the University to report immediately if they have reasonable cause to suspect abuse or maltreatment of individuals under the age of 18.

Any members of the Columbia University community may report abuse if they suspect that a child has been abused or maltreated.

Download and/or print a copy of the flyer.
Hard copies and/or larger posters are available upon request at compliance@columbia.edu.

Resources for the Protection of Minors

Recognizing & Reporting Child Abuse & Neglect
This brochure from the NYC Administration for Children’s Services addresses questions often asked by friends, neighbors, and relatives about recognizing and reporting child abuse and neglect.

Parent’s Guide to New York State Child Neglect and Abuse Laws (Fourth Edition)
As part of its ongoing effort to ensure the safety and well being of New York City’s children, Children’s Services has produced this Fourth edition of the Parent’s Guide to the New York State Child Neglect and Abuse Laws. Children’s Services acknowledges the many challenges that families and children encounter. This publication provides useful information about the New York State laws that protect children.

Preventing Child Sexual Abuse Within Youth-Serving Organizations
This 48-page guide from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services includes chapters on prevention, overcoming challenges, developing processes, and implementing training.

Resources for Mandated Reporters

Summary Guide for Mandated Reporters in New York State (Pub. 1159)

This material provides mandated reporters with an overview of their obligations and some basic information about the New York State Child Protective Services (CPS) system.

This online, two hour, web-based online training course is sponsored by the New York State Office of Children and Family Services. This course meets the New York State Education Department mandatory requirements for Training in Child Abuse Identification and Reporting.

Related Laws

Primary Guidance to Which This Policy Responds

• Title 6 of Article 6 of the New York State Social Services Law , §§411-428 define child abuse and maltreatment. 
   
• Article 10 of the New York State Family Court Act, §1012 further defines child abuse, maltreatment and other key terms commonly used in investigations and reports.

• Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 (“Title IX”) is a Federal Civil Rights law that prohibits discrimination on the basis of sex and gender in any education program or activity receiving federal funds. The “Dear Colleague Letter on Sexual Violence,” dated April 2011, emphasizes that sexual violence is the most egregious form of sexual harassment under Title IX.
• The Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act, 20 U.S.C. §1092(f) (the “Clery Act”) requires all colleges and universities that participate in federal financial aid programs to keep and disclose information about crime on and near their campuses with penalties for infractions.

Related Policies

Cross References to Related Policies

• Employment Policies and Procedures on Discrimination and Harassment
• Student Policies and Procedures on Discrimination and Harassment
• Consensual Romantic and Sexual Relationship Policy Between Faculty and Students
• Gender Based Misconduct Policies for Students
• Guidelines for Short-term Visitors in Research-Related Activities