April is Child Abuse Awareness Month, a time to raise awareness about the signs of abuse and take action to prevent harm. While child abuse is often thought of as a concern for K-12 educators and child welfare professionals, university faculty and staff can also play a key role in preventing abuse by recognizing the warning signs, reporting concerns, and fostering a culture of safety and accountability.
As educators, mentors, and professionals working in a university setting, faculty and staff play a crucial role in shaping the lives of young adults. But our responsibility to protect and advocate for students doesn’t stop there. Many university employees also interact with minors—whether through outreach programs, summer camps, student family members, or community engagement.
Five ways university faculty and staff can help prevent child abuse
1. Learn the signs of abuse and neglect.
Understanding what child abuse looks like is the first step in prevention. Abuse can be physical, emotional, sexual, or take the form of neglect. Some warning signs include:
- Unexplained injuries, bruises, or burns
- Extreme fearfulness, withdrawal, or anxiety
- Sudden academic or behavioral changes
- Age-inappropriate knowledge of sexual topics
- Lack of supervision or unmet basic needs
When interacting with minors—whether through dual enrollment, youth camps, child care facilities, public events, or faculty-led research—it's important to be aware of these signs.
2. Know your reporting responsibilities.
The Child Abuse Reporting Policy and Procedures require faculty and staff to report suspected abuse. All UA employees are mandated reporters under state law, meaning they have a legal duty to report any reasonable suspicion of child abuse.
To take action:
- Know the policy on reporting suspected abuse.
- Familiarize yourself with state law regarding child abuse reporting.
- Report concerns immediately to the UA Police Department (UAPD) at 205-348-5454.
If you’re unsure about your responsibilities, ask us in the Office of Compliance, Ethics, and Regulatory Affairs!
3. Create a safe environment.
Faculty and staff often interact with young people, and it is important to establish baseline safety practices.
To foster a culture of safety:
- Set clear boundaries when interacting with minors. Always ensure that minors are adequately supervised and never be alone with a minor.
- Take action if a minor discloses abuse. It is not your responsibility to verify the claim. Believe them and make the report.
Students and young people are more likely to seek help when they feel supported by trusted adults.
4. Register programs for or including youth participants.
If you plan on hosting an event that includes minors, it must be registered with the Youth Protection Program.
Tips for registering:
- Submit the registration a minimum of 8 weeks in advance – before you start advertising the program or signing up participants.
- Make sure you understand your responsibilities for supervising participants based on approved supervision ratios.
- Ensure that all program staff are appropriately trained and background checked.
Following the University’s requirements for youth programs help to ensure a safe experience for all participants.
5. Help dispel myths about child abuse.
A common misconception is that children are most at risk from strangers. However, research shows that most abuse is committed by someone the child knows and trusts, such as a family member, coach, or mentor.
Faculty and staff can help dispel myths by:
- Educating students and colleagues on the realities of abuse.
- Encouraging conversations about consent, boundaries, and intervention.
- Being vigilant about inappropriate behaviors in university-sponsored youth programs.
Understanding that abuse is more likely to come from within a trusted circle can help prevent harmful situations and empower communities to take action.
Together, We Can Make a Difference
Universities are uniquely positioned to educate, advocate, and lead in child abuse prevention efforts. Whether through research, policy advocacy, or direct interactions with students and their families, faculty and staff can play a powerful role in protecting vulnerable children.
This Child Abuse Awareness Month, let’s commit to raising awareness and taking action. Every child deserves safety and support—and we can help create a campus culture that promotes both.
If you suspect child abuse, don’t hesitate to report it. Call UAPD at 205-348-5454.
By working together, we can help break the cycle of abuse and create a safer future for all.
Child Abuse Awareness Month Activities
Running a Safe & Compliant Youth Program
Join us on April 9 at 10 a.m.! The session covers key youth program requirements, supervision ratios and staff requirements, emergency planning, and incident reporting for programs for or including youth participants. This training also counts toward earning the Ethics in ACTION Award. Registration is available now through UA LMS.
Child Abuse Awareness Pop-Up!
We will be in the UA Student Center on April 23 from 10 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. handing out information on child abuse reporting along with some sweet treats! We hope to see you there.
Protecting Children in a Digital Age
On April 28 at 3:30 p.m., Officer Jessica Wilson of UAPD, will present a session focusing on the reality of child sex trafficking and child exploitation. The session will also cover the dangers that are created by technology and how to protect childing from those looking to exploit them. This training will also count toward earning the Ethics in ACTION Award. Registration is available through UA LMS.