RIC Reporting Policy Child Abuse or Neglect

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  4. RIC Reporting Policy Child Abuse or Neglect

Any Rhode Island College (the “College”) employee (including administrators, faculty and staff), student or volunteer affiliated with the College who suspects child abuse or neglect, including sexual abuse, must immediately report the suspected abuse or neglect to Campus Police at 401-456-8888. Campus Police will immediately report the abuse to the Department of Children, Youth and Families, as applicable; and the Department of Children, Youth and Families will investigate immediately.

Making a Report

When making a report of suspected child abuse or neglect, including sexual abuse, the reporter should provide all relevant information available at the time, including:

  • The date, time, and location of the suspected abuse or neglect;
  • The date and time the reporter learned of the suspected abuse or neglect; and
  • The identities and ages of the victim(s) and, if known, the alleged perpetrator(s).

If a child is in imminent danger, the reporter should immediately call 911.

Failure to report a case of suspected child abuse or neglect, including sexual abuse, will result in disciplinary action, up to and including termination of employment, and/or dismissal or removal from the College.

Rhode Island General Law specifically states that any person who has reasonable cause to know or suspect that any child (under the age of 18) has been abused or neglected shall, within twenty-four (24) hours, transfer that information to the Department of Children, Youth and Families, or its agent, who shall cause the report to be investigated immediately. (RIGL § 40-11-3). The Department of Children Youth and Families has a single, statewide toll-free Hotline that operates twenty-four (24) hours per day, seven (7) days per week. The telephone number is: 1-800-RI-CHILD (1-800-742-4453).
Any person participating in good faith in making a report pursuant to this Policy is protected from retaliation and immune from disciplinary action.

For more information regarding training under this Policy, please contact the Title IX Coordinator:

Valerie Yeakel-Crow, J.D., M.Ed. 
Director of Institutional Equity 
Title IX Coordinator & Affirmative Action Officer 
vyeakelcrow@ric.edu | 401-456-9841