The University takes seriously its commitment to promoting a safe and welcoming environment for minors participating in Rutgers sponsored programs and activities and non-University programs that occur on campus. The University's Protection of Minors Policy provides guidance to university students, faculty, staff, volunteers and service providers and imposes requirements on external agencies that operate youth serving programs on Rutgers' campuses.
- Protecting Our Community
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The University is taking a number of important steps to establish safeguards for your child.
- We are educating members of the University community and those who run programs on campus about the warning signs of abuse and neglect.
- We have established clear requirements for reporting known or suspected abuse or neglect of minors.
- We have created guidelines and a training course for working with minors.
- We are requiring training on the protection of minors for those who will regularly supervise minors on campus.
- We are requiring certain categories of adults who participate in programs or activities involving minors to clear criminal background checks and sex offender registry checks.
- Important Tips for Parents and Families
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In addition to the steps the University has taken, there are important things you can do to protect your child.
1. Make sure that you understand your responsibility to report issues:
- Call 911 if you suspect that there is immediate danger to any child.
- Let the University know promptly by contacting the Rutgers Police Department (732) 932-7211 if your child expresses concern about behavior that may be abusive or neglectful.
- In New Jersey, any person having reasonable cause to believe that a child has been subjected to abuse or acts of abuse should immediately report this information to the State Central Registry (SCR). If the child is in immediate danger, call 911 as well as 1-877 NJ ABUSE (1-877-652-2873). A concerned caller does not need proof to report an allegation of child abuse and can make the report anonymously.
2. Talk to your child about the following:
- The difference between appropriate and inappropriate touching.
- The fact that children can say NO to any touch they don't want and that they should trust and pay attention to their feelings and ask questions when they feel uncomfortable.
- The fact that children can and should speak up if they ever feel unsafe.
- Here is a useful resource that might assist with those communications.
- Additional Resources for Parents
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Rutgers offers a wide variety of learning opportunities for K-12 students designed to enhance college awareness, provide extracurricular enrichment and increase the academic preparedness of students currently attending elementary, middle, and high school. Visit precollege.rutgers.edu to learn more about this free and centralized online resource for K-12 students and their parents.
