Reporting Suspected Child Abuse or Neglect

All affiliated persons, including visiting faculty/scholars, volunteers, and third-party members of the University community, who in their professional or official capacity have reason to suspect child abuse or neglect, are required to report the matter immediately—within 24 hours—to the appropriate authorities.

Reports must be made to: 

• The local Department of Social Services in the city or county where the child resides or where the abuse or neglect is believed to have occurred, or
• The Virginia Department of Social Services (DSS) toll-free child abuse and neglect hotline: 1-800-552-7096

In addition, a report must also be made to the University of Virginia Office of Youth Protection using Report an Incident on our website. Detailed information about the University's Office for Youth Protection is available on our website at https://youthprotection.virginia.edu.

If you do not have access to a UVA NetBadge account, you may download and complete the PDF reporting form, then submit it to the appropriate office listed on the site.

Important: If you believe the child is in imminent danger or there is an emergency, please call 911 immediately.

No person is required to make a report if the person has actual knowledge that the same matter has already been reported to the Department of Social Services’ child abuse and neglect hotline and the University of Virginia Office of Youth Protection. If there is any doubt about whether a report has been made or included all relevant information, an additional report shall be made.

No person is required to make a report if the minor child is emancipated as set forth under Virginia State law (in particular, § 16.1-334 7 Effects of order, that “the minor may not thereafter be the subject of a petition under this chapter as abused, neglected, abandoned, in need of services, in need of supervision, or in violation of a juvenile curfew ordinance enacted by a local governing body”).

Note: When providing patient care within or for the benefit of the Medical Center, all persons, regardless of employer, shall follow UVA Medical Center Policy No. 0213 Abuse, Neglect or Exploitation of Patients.

Reporting Additional Incidents/Concerning Behavior

The University has provided a mechanism for Program Staff/volunteers, youth participants, and families to make reports of concerning behavior. 

Program Staff: In addition to reporting suspected child abuse and neglect as covered above in Section I, Program Directors (or designated program staff persons) are required to report incidents/in inappropriate behavior/concerns (including grooming behavior and boundary violations) to the Office of Youth Protection. They can be reported through Just Report It (JRI) or by email ([email protected]).

Parent/Guardian/Youth Participant: Incidents/inappropriate behavior/concerns regarding conduct occurring as a result of participation in a youth program may be reported to the Office of Youth Protection by email ([email protected]) or phone (434-924-7860). 

Contact Information

Office of Youth Protection
P.O. Box 400294
Charlottesville, VA 22904-4228
Phone: 434-924-7860
Email: [email protected]