Mandatory Reporting of Child Abuse Policy

Policy Statement 

Georgia College employees and volunteers acting in the course of their employment or service to Georgia College – whether or not working directly with minors – must immediately report any reasonable suspicion or knowledge of abuse to minors, including inappropriate touching, sexual or physical abuse, or neglect, to the Georgia College Police Department, and the employee’s supervisor, the director of the program in which the minor is involved, or an appropriate Georgia College official who can take immediate action.  Immediate reporting is essential to protect all minors in any Georgia College program or otherwise visiting campus.

Definitions

The following definitions apply to the terms as used in this Policy:

Adult

Any person who has reached the age of majority, which is eighteen (18) years of age in the state of Georgia.

Child Abuse

An injury or pattern of injuries to a minor that is non-accidental. Child abuse includes, but is not limited to, sexual abuse, physical injury, and neglect.

Mandatory Reporter

Employees who are required by state law to report suspected abuse or neglect of minors to the appropriate authorities. Those whose communications may otherwise be privileged or confidential are also considered mandatory reporters and must report minor abuse under the appropriate state law (e.g., professional and pastoral counselors).

Minor/Child

A person who has not reached the age of majority, which is eighteen (18) years of age in the state of Georgia.

Keywords

Mandatory Reporting

Child Abuse

Sexual Misconduct

Reason for Policy

Georgia College is firmly committed to ensuring the safety and well-being of minors and prompt reporting of suspected abuse or neglect of a minor. Certain Georgia College employees and volunteers, through their employment or service to Georgia College, are considered mandatory reporters of abuse to minors under state law. This policy takes into account Georgia’s mandatory reporting law and outlines reporting procedures for Georgia College employees and volunteers.

Proposed Outcome

This Policy aims to provide a systematic process for reporting suspected child abuse for employees and volunteers of the University.

Applicability of the Policy 

This Policy applies to all Georgia College employees and volunteers acting in the course of their employment or service to Georgia College.

Related Policies

Georgia College Protection of Minors Policy

Georgia College Progressive Discipline Guide

Procedures

I.  Reporting to Georgia College Police Department

1. Employees and volunteers must immediately contact the Georgia College Police Department, by calling 478-445-4400, when they know about, hear about, or suspect abuse or neglect of a minor in the course of their employment or service to Georgia College.
2. Georgia has a prescribed statewide reporting process through the Division of Family and Children Services (DFCS). Police will navigate the DFCS system for those reporting, after being given as much specific information as possible for the DFCS report. Reports may be made to Police confidentially (to the extent provided by state law). Police must report to DFCS within 24 hours of receiving a report of an incident by calling1-855-GACHILD / 1-855-422-4453.
   1. Police will investigate all child abuse reports involving Georgia College faculty, staff, students, and volunteers, or which occur on the Georgia College campus, in addition to reporting to DFCS.

II. Reporting to Supervisor, Program Director, or GC Official

1. In addition to calling Police, employees and volunteers must also report suspected child abuse to their supervisor, program director, or a Georgia College official as soon as possible.
2. The supervisor, program director, or Georgia College official shall take immediate action in order to protect the minor, and work with Police during any investigation resulting from the report.
3. While an investigation is conducted, the person being investigated must not have any contact with minors in any Georgia College program.

III.  Non-Retaliation

1. Georgia College prohibits any employee, student, or volunteer from retaliating or taking any adverse action against another employee, student, or volunteer for reporting a reasonable suspicion of sexual or physical abuse or neglect of a minor. If an individual believes he or she is being retaliated against, the individual should contact their supervisor, the Office of Human Resources, or the Office of Legal Affairs.

IV.  Non-Compliance

1. Failure of employees to comply with this policy could result in disciplinary actions as outlined in the Georgia College Progressive Discipline Guide. Failure of volunteers to comply with this policy could result in their remove from the associated program.

Creation Date: May 2018

Revision Date: N/A

Last Reviewed Date: June 2018

Next Review Date: May 2020

Responsible Department:  Office of Legal Affairs

Cabinet Approval Date: July 2018

Effective Date: July 2018