Child Abuse or Neglect Reporting

500.140 CHILD ABUSE OR NEGLECT REPORTING POLICY

A. POLICY STATEMENT

It is the policy of Wenatchee Valley College, in accordance with RCW 26.44.030, that all employees report child abuse or neglect as described below. The report must be made at the first opportunity, and never later than 48 hours after the college employee has reasonable cause to believe that a child has suffered abuse or neglect.

B. DEFINITIONS (RCW 26.44.020)

Child: Any person under the age of 18 years of age.

Abuse or neglect: Sexual abuse, sexual exploitation, or injury of a child by any person under circumstances which cause harm to the child's health, welfare, or safety, or the negligent treatment or maltreatment of a child by a person responsible for or providing care to the child.

Abused child: A child who has been subjected to child abuse or neglect.

Allowable physical discipline: physical discipline that is reasonable and moderate and is inflicted by a parent, teacher, or guardian for purposes of restraining or correcting the child. Any use of force on a child by any other person is unlawful unless it is reasonable and moderate and is authorized in advance by the child's parent or guardian for purposes of restraining or correcting the child. (RCW 9A.16.100)

C. REPORTERS

Academic (faculty), administrative and athletic employees, including student employees must make any report directly to the proper law enforcement agency or the department of social and health services.

All other employees must make any report directly to the executive director of human resources via phone, in person or email. The executive director of human resources must make report to the proper law enforcement agency or the department of social and health services.

D. ELEMENTS OF REPORT

The report must include as much detail as possible and must include the identity of the accused if known. Detail includes:

1. The name, address and age of the child.
2. The name and address of the child's parents, stepparents, guardians or other persons having custody of the child.
3. The nature and extent of the alleged injury or injuries.
4. The nature and extent of the alleged neglect.
5. The nature and extent of the alleged sexual abuse.
6. Any evidence of previous injuries, including their nature and extent.
7. Any other information that may be helpful in establishing the cause of the child's injury, injuries or death.
8. The identity of the alleged perpetrator or perpetrators.

The reporting requirement above does not apply to the discovery of abuse or neglect that occurred during childhood if it is discovered after the child has become an adult. However, if there is reasonable cause to believe other children are or may be at risk of abuse or neglect by the accused, the reporting requirement does apply and a report must be made.

E. TRAINING

Wenatchee Valley College ensures that it communicates this policy to all employees such that all employees have knowledge of their reporting responsibilities.

F. IMMUNITY FROM LIABILITY

Any person who participates in reporting alleged child abuse or neglect in good faith shall be immune from any legal liability arising out of such reporting.

A person who, in good faith, cooperates in an investigation of a report of child abuse or neglect shall not be subject to civil liability arising out of his or her cooperation.

However, a person who, intentionally and in bad faith, knowingly makes a false report of alleged abuse or neglect shall be guilty of a misdemeanor and violation of college policy.

G. REPORTING GUIDANCE

The executive director of human resources is the college’s designee to receive reports and provide guidance regarding an employee’s reporting obligations.

Approved by the president’s cabinet: 7/10/12
Adopted by the board of trustees: 9/12/12
Last reviewed: 8/30/19
Policy contact: Human Resources

Related policies and procedures
None identified at this time