Author: Christie Pugh

To:          All UMW Faculty and Staff

As you may be aware, the Virginia General Assembly recently added each of us, as faculty and staff of a higher education institution, to the list of persons mandated, under risk of criminal penalty, to report suspected child abuse and neglect to the proper authorities ( Code of Virginia, Section 63.2-1509(18), (“Any person employed by a public or private institution of higher education other than an attorney who is employed by a public or private institution of higher education as it relates to information gained in the course of providing legal representation to a client”).

By law, all UMW full and part time faculty and staff must report suspected cases of child abuse and neglect.

• Reports must be made to the proper authorities within 24 hours of having reason to suspect that abuse or neglect has occurred.
• Reports may be made by

• Contacting the Fredericksburg Department of Social Services (540-372-1032).
• Contacting the Department of Social Service’s state-wide toll-free child abuse and neglect hotline (1.800.552.7096).
• Contacting University Police (654-4444) for cases involving university related programs.

Be mindful that reporting does not mean proving.  The Department of Social Services follows up all reports to make final determinations.  

Please visit the link below for  guidance and resources about what needs to be reported and your responsibilities as a mandated reporter.  

 http://adminfinance.umw.edu/hr/employee-relations/respectful-workplace-policies/child-abuse-and-neglect-reporting/ 

If you have questions, you may contact me by reply email or  Judy Kwitnieski, Employee Relations Manager, at jkwitnie@umw.edu.