Practical guidance, warning signs, and vetted resources to help parents, schools, and communities prevent and respond to child sexual abuse.

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Toolkit for Educators & School Leaders

‍The Problem of Child Sexual Abuse

School-Based Prevention Education

→ Educator Training & Support

  • Preventing Abuse at School

  • Creating a Safe Reporting Environment

  • Recognizing Signs of Abuse

  • Grooming Behaviors to Watch for in Adults

  • Disclosures and Mandatory Reporting

  • Staff Training Resources

  • Other Resources for Schools

Partnering with Parents

Educator Training & Support

Schools play a critical role in preventing child sexual abuse, responding to concerns, and creating safe environments where students can learn and thrive. This section provides resources and guidance to help educators prevent abuse, recognize warning signs, respond to disclosures, meet mandatory reporting obligations, and access staff training. For information on requirements, implementation options, and frequently asked questions about prevention education, see the School-Based Prevention Education page.

Preventing Abuse at School

About 1 in 10 students will experience school-based sexual misconduct or abuse by grade 12. Preventing child sexual abuse requires a proactive approach that goes beyond individual vigilance. Schools that build a culture of safety, clear policies, appropriate supervision, and open communication are better equipped to reduce opportunities for abuse, recognize concerns early, and respond effectively when they arise.

Creating a Safe Reporting Environment

A strong reporting culture ensures that concerns are recognized and addressed promptly. Schools should create an environment where both students and staff feel supported in raising concerns, understand reporting procedures, and trust that reports will be handled appropriately and professionally.

Promoting clear policies, trauma-informed practices, and open communication reduces barriers to reporting and helps protect the safety and well-being of all students.

About 1 in 10 students will experience school-based sexual misconduct or abuse by grade 12.

Recognizing Signs of Abuse

Educators are often among the first adults to notice when something is wrong in a child's life. Because children spend significant time at school and rarely disclose abuse directly, recognizing behavioral and physical changes is one of the most important skills a school staff member can have.

No single sign confirms abuse, and many of these indicators can have other explanations. What matters is a pattern of changes, particularly sudden or unexplained ones, or a combination of signs across multiple categories. When you notice something that concerns you, document what you have observed and report it. You do not need to investigate or be certain — that is the role of trained professionals.

    • Bleeding, bruising, or swelling around the genitals

    • Torn, stained, or bloody clothing

    • Trouble sitting or walking comfortably

    • Frequent urinary tract or yeast infections

    • Persistent genital pain, itching, or burning

    • Unexplained injuries or injuries that do not match the explanation given

    • Sudden changes in hygiene habits

    • Severe nightmares or new bed-wetting in older children

    • Acute fear of being alone or with specific people

    • Abrupt changes in sleep or eating patterns reported by families

    • Withdrawal from activities or peers they previously enjoyed

    • Regressing to younger behaviors such as thumb-sucking or extreme clinginess

    • Sudden decline in grades or school engagement

    • Unexplained absences or reluctance to go home

    • Running away or talking about running away

    • Visible anxiety, tension, or distress around specific adults

    • Withdrawal from friendships or previously enjoyed activities

    • Self-harm or expressions of suicidal thoughts

    • Sexual behavior or language that seems beyond their developmental age

    • Acting overly protective of younger students or siblings

    • Sudden personality changes, including aggression, withdrawal, or extreme compliance

Grooming Behaviors to Watch for in Adults

Abuse is often preceded by grooming — a gradual process where an adult builds trust and normalizes boundary violations. Watch for adults who:

  • Seek out one-on-one time with a student in isolated or private settings

  • Give a student special gifts, attention, or privileges without clear reason

  • Communicate with students privately through text, social media, or apps

  • Use secrecy with a child or ask the child to keep things from parents

  • Initiate excessive or unnecessary physical contact

  • Speak about a student in overly personal or intimate ways

Note that grooming behaviors may come from staff, volunteers, other adults in the building, or older students. Concerns about adult behavior toward a student should be reported to school administration and if warranted to DCFS, regardless of whether abuse has occurred.

A note on age-specific responses: Younger children are more likely to show physical and behavioral signs. Older students and adolescents are more likely to show social withdrawal, academic decline, or changes in relationships. Children of any age rarely disclose abuse directly, and many show no visible signs at all. Familiarity with a student's baseline behavior is one of the most valuable tools an educator has.

Important Information

Disclosures and Mandatory Reporting

What should staff do if a student makes a disclosure?

Listen calmly and without judgment. Thank the student for telling you, reassure them they did the right thing, and let them know they are not in trouble. Do not investigate, ask leading questions, or make promises about what will happen next. Report immediately according to your school's protocol and connect the student with your counselor or appropriate support staff.

Prevention education sometimes gives students the words and confidence to share something they have been holding onto. A disclosure during or after a prevention lesson is not a cause for concern about the programming. It is a sign the education is working as intended.

In Utah, educators are legally required to report suspected abuse or neglect when you have reason to believe a child may be at risk. You do not need permission from an administrator before making a report. Detailed guidance and resources on responding to disclosures are available in the resources below.

Mandatory Reporting Requirements

In Utah, all school personnel are mandatory reporters. Educators do not need proof of abuse before making a report. Their responsibility is to report concerns to the appropriate authorities so trained professionals can assess the situation. Understanding reporting requirements and your school's procedures is an essential part of protecting student safety and ensuring compliance with state law.

Reports can be made directly to Utah's Child Protection Line at 1-855-323-3237 or online at dcfs.utah.gov.

Staff Training Resources

Every public school district and charter school (LEA) is required to provide prevention training to all school personnel at least once every three years on how to recognize, respond to, and report suspected child sexual abuse and human trafficking. All instructional materials used for this purpose must be reviewed and approved by USBE in partnership with the Utah Department of Health and Human Services.

The following resources support school staff in building knowledge and skills related to child sexual abuse prevention, recognition, reporting, and trauma-informed response. Several USBE-approved Adult Serving Youth training programs are listed in the section below and can be used to meet the three-year staff training requirement under Utah Code 53G-9-207.

CSA/HT Prevention Education Resources

Every Utah LEA is required to provide prevention training to all school personnel at least once every 3 years on how to recognize, respond to, and report suspected child sexual abuse and human trafficking.

USBE-Approved Adult Serving Youth Instructional Materials

The following programs have been reviewed and approved by the Utah State Board of Education for Adult Serving Youth (ASY) prevention education. These materials are designed for school staff, educators, counselors, and volunteers who work with youth. Completing an approved program helps schools meet the three-year staff training requirement under Utah Code 53G-9-207.

Note that materials can be approved for Child Sexual Abuse (CSA) prevention or Human Trafficking (HT) prevention. Some materials have been approved for both CSA and HT prevention (indicated below).

  • PROTECT Utah Adult Serving Youth Training
    Delivered through an online platform with three core modules consisting of videos, slides, and activities. Designed to be flexible to fit various schedules. Participants can download a reference workbook upon completion.

  • Human Trafficking Prevention
    A PowerPoint presentation delivered by trained AAU staff in person or virtually. Covers definitions of sex and labor trafficking, common misconceptions, and how trafficking affects youth in Utah.

  • Childhelp Speak Up Be Safe Child Abuse Prevention Curriculum — ASY Training
    A self-paced training program on the Childhelp Learning Management System (Adobe). Three universal modules with an average completion time of two hours. Modules are intended for facilitators of the student lessons and contain all required content in the CSA/ASY minimum guidelines.

  • Davis School District CSA and HT Prevention Adult Serving Youth: This is a Canvas course designed to educate all adults serving students on CSA and HT Prevention. It takes an estimated 45 minutes to complete. Contact katewilliams@dsdmail.net for information.

  • Enough! Preventing Child Sexual Abuse in My School
    An interactive online training appropriate for all school staff covering child sexual abuse awareness and prevention. Typically takes one hour to complete.

  • Boundary Town and Boundary Town: ASY Human Trafficking Prevention
    Online trainings that teach adults who work with youth to recognize the signs, symptoms, and dynamics of child abuse and human trafficking. Course duration is approximately 40 minutes.

  • Child Abuse: Mandatory Reporting and Human Trafficking Prevention
    A fully online course designed to train adults serving youth on human trafficking awareness and prevention. Typical course duration is 78 minutes.

The full list of USBE-approved instructional materials for all three audience types—students, parents, and adults serving youth—is available here: USBE Approved Instructional Materials

Other Resources for Schools

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