Protection of Minors and Mandatory Reporting of Suspected Child Abuse Policy

Effective Date

June 12, 2017

Last Revision Date

June, 2023 

Responsible Party

Human Resources

Scope

All employees  

Purpose 

To ensure the protection and safety of Minors on campus.

Policy Statement

This Policy establishes guidelines for those in the University community who may work or interact with Minors, with the goal of promoting the safety and wellbeing of Minors. Under Virginia law, any persons employed by a private institution of higher education who, in their professional or official capacity, having reason to suspect that a child is an abused or neglected child, are required to report the matter immediately to child protective services. 

1.0 Definitions

1.1 Minor

Any person under the age of eighteen (18). University students who are under the age of eighteen (18) are treated by this policy similarly to all other students for purposes of their interactions with Minors in University Programs and Non-University Programs, subject to the requirements that apply to other students.

1.2 Child Abuse and Neglect

Physical abuse, physical neglect, sexual abuse, or emotional/mental maltreatment of a child.  Child Abuse and Neglect includes but is not limited to the following:

(i) creates or inflicts, threatens to create or inflict, or allows to be created or inflicted upon such child a physical or mental injury by other than accidental means;

(ii) creates a substantial risk of death, disfigurement, or impairment of bodily or mental functions, including, but not limited to, a child either during the manufacture or attempted manufacture of a Schedule I or II controlled substance, or during the unlawful sale of such substance, where such manufacture, or attempted manufacture or unlawful sale would constitute a felony violation; 

(iii) neglects or refuses to provide care necessary for their health; 

(iv) abandons the child;

(v) commits or allows to be committed any act of sexual exploitation or any sexual act upon a child in violation of the law;

(vi) creates a substantial risk of physical or mental injury by knowingly leaves a child alone in the same dwelling with a person, not related by blood or marriage, who has been convicted of an offense against a minor for which registration is required as a violent sexual offender; or

(vii) commits or allows to be committed any illegal sexual act upon a child, including incest, rape, indecent exposure, prostitution, or allows a child to be used in any sexually explicit visual material.  

2.0 Reporting

2.1 Reporting

All employees, in their professional or official capacity have reason to  suspect child abuse and neglect, including sexual assault, of a minor must report the matter immediately to:

(i) the local department of the county or city wherein the child resides or wherein the abuse or neglect is believed to have occurred or to the Virginia Department of Human Services toll-free child abuse and neglect hotline at 1 (800) 522-7096.

2.2 Additional Reporting

2.2.1 All employees must also immediately report the same information with the Title IX Coordinator at 703-284-1600 and the Director of Campus Safety and Emergency Management at 703-526-6940 so that the university can ensure timely compliance with this law and enhance the protection of children.

2.3.1  If the suspected child abuse or neglect presents an imminent danger or emergency, an employee should call the police (911)