Mandatory Reporting

All University of Richmond employees, contractors, and volunteers are Mandated Reporters and have the individual responsibility to immediately report actual or suspected child abuse and neglect to all of the following:

What is Child Abuse?

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  • Physical Abuse

    When a parent/legal guardian or caregiver causes any non-accidental physical injury to a child.

    Physical Indicators:

    • Bruises
    • Multiple injuries in various stages of healing
    • Injuries regularly appear after absences, weekends, etc.
    • Unexplained injuries
    • Clustered injuries that form patterns

     

    Behavioral Indicators:

    • Reports injury by a caregiver
    • Complains or soreness or moves uncomfortably
    • Uncomfortable with physical contact
    • Wears clothing inappropriate to weather or reluctant to change clothes
    • Behavior extremes
    • Afraid to go home or frightened of parents

     

  • Physical Neglect

    When a parent/legal guardian or caregiver does not give the care, supervision, affection, and support needed for a child’s health, safety, and well-being.

    Physical Indicators:

    • Consistent hunger
    • Poor hygiene
    • Unattended physical problems or medical needs
    • Inadequate supervision
    • Abandonment

     

    Behavioral Indicators:

    • Reports no caretaker at home
    • Begs for or steals food
    • Frequently absent or tardy
    • Constant fatigue or falling asleep in class
    • Extended stays at school
  • Sexual Abuse

    When an adult uses a child for sexual purposes or involves a child in sexual acts. 

    Physical Indicators:

    Most physical indicators of child sexual abuse would be found by an exam by a medical practitioner. Other professionals rely more upon behavioral, emotional, and cognitive/academic indicators in determining whether to suspect sexual abuse.

     

    Behavioral Indicators:

    • Reports sexual abuse
    • Highly sexualized play
    • Detailed, age-inappropriate understanding of sexual behavior
    • Chronic runaway
    • Sudden noticeable behavior changes
    • Deterioration in academic performance
  • Emotional Maltreatment

    When a parent/legal guardian or caregiver harms a child’s mental and social development or causes severe emotional harm.

    Physical Indicators:

    • Learning problems
    • Developmental Delays
    • Speech disorders
    • Frequent stomach aches, headaches, or unexplained weight fluctuations

     

    Behavioral Indicators:

    • Habit disorders (e.g. thumb sucking, biting, rocking, etc.)
    • Behavior extremes
    • Appears to derive pleasure from hurting others or animals
    • Anti-social, destructive
    • Delayed adaptive behavior skills
  • Peer-to-Peer Abuse

    Peer-to-peer abuse can occur between minors. This includes children of the same or different genders and ages. No minors are too old or young to be at risk of engaging in inappropriate sexual behavior with their peers. “Natural curiosity” is still considered sexual abuse and must be reported.