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.

Child Abuse and Neglect Prevention 
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.

Child Abuse and Addiction Recovery Center

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.

Mandated Reporter Self-Directed Online Training

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.

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.

Cross References to Related Policies

• Employment Policies and Procedures on Discrimination and Harassment
• Columbia University Non-Discrimination Statement and Policy
• 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

Columbia University is committed to promoting a safe environment for minors who participate in our programs and activities. We have taken a number of important steps to establish safeguards for your child:

• We have revised our policy on Reporting Suspected Abuse and Maltreatment of Minors.
• We have established clear requirements for reporting abuse and maltreatment.
• We have widely disseminated a flyer reminding employees and volunteers how to make a report.
• We have developed a website that contains valuable information on the protection of minors at Columbia.
• We are educating members of the University community about the signs of abuse and maltreatment and how to make a report.
• We are requiring certain categories of adults who participate in programs or activities involving minors to clear criminal background checks and other screening requirements.