University's Youth Protection Office Advocates for the Next Generation

April is National Child Abuse Prevention Month, focusing on community-driven initiatives to protect children. As part of the university's efforts to provide a safe environment on campus, the U of A's Youth Protection Office ensures that the most vulnerable members of the community are protected and supported.  

The Youth Protection Program collaborates with units to comply with legal, ethical and institutional standards involving the safety of young individuals. 

"Our young people are at the foundation of what we do every day in higher education, and their well-being has to be taken seriously," said Melissa Graham, youth protection program manager. "While protecting youth is a shared responsibility, we're here to provide the resources, training, procedures and guidance that will foster safety across campus. If a situation seems alarming, we urge those who notice it to report the incident to us as quickly as possible so we can address it. All reports remain confidential." 

Those involved in the management of youth programs are required to register the programs in the university's Youth Safety Portal. Incidents can be reported through the Incident Reporting Portal. 

The office maintains policies intended to keep students free from bullying, harassment, isolation and violence. They also offer support for those affected while ensuring everyone is treated with dignity and respect. An updated Youth Protection Policy was recently published to Fayetteville Policies and Procedures.  

"Protecting youth is incredibly important to our campus, and having a consistent youth protection framework also helps ensure the university is meeting its compliance obligations while supporting programs across campus," said Sandy Sturgeon, director of financial compliance. 

The Youth Protection Office, formerly structured within Human Resources, recently became part of the university's Enterprise Risk Management (ERM) department that was formed in 2025 after Cathy Krane was hired as director. 

For more information or to discuss specific concerns, contact the office at (479) 575-4432 or youthprotection@uark.edu.