Responsibility to Report
Any person employed by a public or private institution of higher education (i.e. every VCU employee) is required by law to report suspected instances of child abuse and neglect (§63.2-1509 of the Code of Virginia).
The law protects good faith reporters from liability, as outlined in the Responsibilities of Mandated Reporters. You can make reports to the local Social Services Department or to the Department of Social Services (DSS) toll-free child abuse and neglect hotline at 1.800.552.7096 or via the VACPS secure portal.
In addition to reporting to CPS, all VCU employees are required to report the abuse to their supervisor and VCU Police within 24 hours. Employees should be prepared to report the who, what, where, when, of what happened.
If you have questions about VCU's Safety and Protection of Minors policy, please send an email to youth@vcu.edu or call (804) 828-2841.
Mandated Reporter Portal:
The Virginia Department of Social Services has a secure website that allows Virginia mandated reporters to expedite the submission of non-emergency reports of suspected child abuse or neglect directly to the Commonwealth hotline.
The Code of Virginia §63.2-100 defines an abused or neglected child as any child under 18 years of age whose parent or any person responsible for his or her care
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Causes or threatens to cause a non-accidental physical or mental injury
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Has a child present during the manufacture of a controlled substance or during the unlawful sale of such substance where such activity would constitute a felony violation
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Neglects or refuses to provide adequate food, clothing, shelter, emotional nurturing, or health care
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Abandons the child
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Neglects or refuses to provide adequate supervision in relation to a child’s age and level of development
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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
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Commits or allows to be committed any illegal sexual act upon a child, including incest, rape, indecent exposure, or prostitution, or allows a child to be used in any sexually explicit visual material
Under the laws of the Commonwealth and the expectations of the university, if at any time the
neglect or abuse of a minor is known or suspected, it must be reported, regardless of whether
the neglect or abuse is observed during normal working hours or program activities. All persons
employed by or serving as volunteers on behalf of VCU who know or suspect child abuse or
neglect must report the knowledge or suspicion as soon as possible, but not longer than 24
hours after having reason to suspect.
- Program Supervisor
- VCU Police Department at 804-828-1234
- Local office of the Department of Social Services wherein the child resides or wherein
the abuse or neglect is believed to have occurred.- If you are unsure which county or city to report to, then report to the Virginia
Department of Social Services’ state-wide toll-free child abuse and neglect
hotline: 1-800-552-7096 - For non-emergency reports, you may use the Virginia Department of Social
Services secure portal to expedite submissions of suspected child abuse or
neglect.
- If you are unsure which county or city to report to, then report to the Virginia
Any person making a complaint or report of child abuse or neglect shall be immune from any
civil or criminal liability in connection therewith, unless you are acting in bad faith or with
malicious intent pursuant to § 63.2-1512 of the Code of Virginia.
- You may be fined up to $500 for the first failure and at least $1,000 for subsequent failures
- If you knowingly and intentionally fail to make reports in cases involving rape, sodomy, or object sexual penetration, you may be guilty of a Class 1 misdemeanor
The Commonwealth of Virginia, Department of Social Services, Child Protective Services has
produced a guide for mandated reporters. To help identify potential abuse, you can find it on
their website.
The VCU Integrity and Compliance Office provides a list of locations where reports can be made. Please visit their website to view options for reporting concerns.