Knowledge and attitudes about infant safe haven laws among a diverse sample of public university students in the U.S.

Safe haven laws (SHLs) are state policies that give parents the right to anonymously relinquish the rights to their infant to a designated safe haven provider. A small body of research shows that professionals have limited knowledge about SHLs and there is almost no research about the public’s understanding of SHLs. This study is the first to examine knowledge and attitudes about SHLs among a sample of university students. A diverse, convenience sample of 222 student at a Hispanic-Serving Institution of higher education participated in a study which assessed the knowledge and attitudes about SHLs. Methods were approved by an institutional review board of ethics. Data were collected through an online survey that was open to the entire student body. Results showed that 59.1% of students knew about SHLs prior to this survey and that 97.3% have positive attitudes about SHLs. Also, students who had a minority identity or who indicated peer support were more likely to project that they would use or recommend that someone else use a SHL. SHLs are strongly endorsed by this body of university students. Minority status and peer support play pivotal roles in this support. Recommendations are made for the field and for future research. • Knowledge of SHLs is moderate among university students. • SHLs are strongly endorsed by university students. • Minority status and peer support play pivotal roles in student support for SHLs.