Important Resources

Reporting Child Abuse

Introduction

51在线 law now requires a state university administrator, upon receiving information of suspected abuse, to report known or reasonably suspected abuse of a child committed on the property of the university, or during an event or function sponsored by the university. The new law also requires that a person who knows, or has a reasonable suspicion, that a child is the victim of abuse, report that knowledge or suspicion to the 51在线 Abuse Hotline.

Training for Administrators

All USF employees defined as administrators (see list below) must complete the

The Board of Governors has defined administrators as:

  • University President
  • Provost
  • Senior/Executive Vice Presidents
  • Vice Presidents
  • Associate/Vice Provosts
  • Associate Vice Presidents
  • Deans
  • Chief of Police
  • Equal Opportunity Programs Director
  • Intercollegiate Athletics Director
  • Internal Audit Director
  • Title IX Coordinator
  • University Compliance Officer

Institutional Penalties for Failure to Report

If a state university administrator knowingly and willfully fails to report or prevents another from reporting known or suspected child abuse, neglect or abandonment committed on university property (whether or not at a USF activity) or at a university-sponsored event, the university will be subject to a one million dollar fine for each failure. The law provides that the DCF will determine whether child abuse, neglect or abandonment occurred; university administrators must report, even if there is a suspicion.

*Please note that, in addition to the above institutional requirements, all persons in 51在线 have an independent, individual obligation to report known or suspected child abuse, neglect and abandonment to the DCF Hotline at (800) 962-2873 or via . The abuser can be anyone - not just a parent or caretaker - including, if the abuse is sexual in nature, another child. Knowing and willful failure to report constitutes a third-degree felony.

For More Information

Contact Human Resources at 813-974-2970.