A new policy at UConn requires virtually all university employees, except those who hold a statutory privilege, to report any sexual assault of a minor that they saw or received a report of.
On Wednesday, the UConn Board of Trustees voted to approve a new Sexual Assault Response Policy, which comes in the wake of the child sex abuse scandal at Penn State University.
UConn’s policy requires staff to report the incidents to the Office of Diversity and Equity, the Office of Community Standards or the University’s Title IX Coordinator.
A statement from UConn says employees in several departments are still required to inform the police of a reported sexual assault, including certain employees within Public Safety, Residential Life, Student Activities, Greek Life, Athletics, Student Services and the Student Union, among others.
The board also approved the Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting Policy, which clarifies the obligations of university employees who are “mandated reporters” under the law, and explains reporting obligations to the Department of Children and Families, and includes the definitions of child abuse or neglect under the law.
Employees who are not mandated reporters are encouraged to report suspected child abuse to DCF’s 24-hour hotline.
UConn’s Office of Audit, Compliance and Ethics will supply training.
