Reporting

We all have a shared responsibility to protect minors at UNC Asheville.

All members of the UNC Asheville community, and Program Staff participating in non-University-run programs, who observe, have knowledge of, or reasonable suspicion that a child has been or is in danger of abuse, neglect, or violent offense are obligated to report the matter to UNC Asheville Police and the Office for Institutional Integrity and Access.

If there is an imminent risk of harm or threat to safety, immediately call 911 or 828.232.5000 to reach UNC Asheville Police directly.

In the event of an accident, injury or other incident that poses a threat to the safety or well-being of any youth, it is important to respond in a proactive manner. The following guidance on responding to incidents involving youth in programs or activities on campus includes steps required per University policy as well as recommended best practices.

A proactive response includes:

• Intervening quickly to prevent or minimize harm
• Assessing a situation and making adjustments to prevent a future recurrence
• Documenting incidents with all relevant details
• Gathering information on
  • who (the affected youth, witnesses),
  • what (details of what happened, including actions taken by staff and others),
  • where (including relevant environmental factors that may have caused or contributed to the incident),
  • when (time and date), and
  • why (any objective information that contributes to an understanding of the incident’s cause or origin).
• Reporting the incident, as appropriate, to the relevant individual, office, or agency.

Complete these steps within a 24-48 hour period, depending on the urgency of the situation and need for immediate intervention.

Different actions apply depending on the level of risk associated with a particular incident. Certain incidents may be characterized as “low risk” while others may be considered “high risk.” There are grey areas within every situation. When in doubt, treat an incident as “high risk.”

Reporting Mandates

1. Duty to Report

Immediately report the matter to the UNC Asheville Police Department (828.232.5000).

Under NC state law, any person 18 years or older who knows or reasonably suspects that a juvenile has been or is a victim of abuse, neglect, or violent offense must immediately report the case of that juvenile to the appropriate local law enforcement agency in the county where the juvenile resides or is found. (NCGS 14-318.2)

Contact University Police (828.232.5000) for all incidents or suspected incidents regardless of the residence of the minor involved or suspected perpetrator. You must also contact the UNC Asheville Vice Chancellor of Integrity and Access to report the incident.

University Police will make a final determination as to whether the matter merits further investigation. University community members must not attempt to make such judgments independently of law enforcement.

2. Obligation to Report.

Any member of the University community who knows or reasonably suspects that a minor, including a UNC Asheville enrolled student minor, has been abused or neglected by a parent, guardian, caregiver, or Program Staff has an absolute obligation under state law (NCGS 7B-301) to notify the Buncombe County Child and Family Services Agency (CFSA) and the UNC Asheville Vice Chancellor of Integrity and Access regardless of where the offense occurred. The CFSA hotline, at 828.250.5900, is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

The obligation to make a report of suspected child abuse to Buncombe County CFSA is separate and independent from the obligation to report to the UNC Asheville Police Department. University Police can assist in providing contact information for reporting to social service agencies.

3. University Reporting Mandate.

Anyone participating in a University-run or affiliated program or activity involving minors or a non-University program or activity operating on campus involving minors who knows, suspects, or receives information indicating that a minor has been abused, neglected, experienced a violent offense, or who has other concerns about the safety of minors must inform the Office for Institutional Integrity and Access at 828.232.5658. This requirement extends to all resources designated as Confidential.

Submit notice to the Office for Institutional Integrity and Access:

All incidents, concerns, or disclosures involving minors must be reported to the Office for Institutional Integrity and Access. This includes, but is not limited to:

• Abuse (physical, emotional, and sexual)
• Maltreatment or neglect
• Medical emergencies
• Mental health concerns
• Injury (where treatment goes beyond basic first aid)
• Near misses (e.g., a situation that could have resulted in a serious accident or injury)
• Inappropriate behavior, including grooming behavior or boundary violations
• Misconduct between minors, including harassment, bullying, peer relationship violence
• Inadequate supervision
• Violations of UNC Asheville’s Protection of Minors policy, Guidelines for Interacting with Minors, or Program Code of Conduct

How to report abuse, neglect, or other serious concerns, including violations, to the Office for Institutional Integrity and Access:

• Submit a Youth Protection Incident Report (Preferred method)
• Call the Office for Institutional Integrity and Access at 828.232.5658
• Email the Vice Chancellor of Institutional Integrity and Access (hlindkvi@unca.edu).

4. Clery Campus Security Authority (CSA) Crime Report.

University Program Administrators are considered CSAs under the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act (20 U.S.C. § 1092 (f)) (“Clery Act”), and will be provided education about their responsibilities. If the incident is a Clery Crime, and the University employee is a CSA, a CSA Crime Report Form must be submitted.

5. Safe Sport Report.

S. 534, or The Protecting Young Victims from Sexual Abuse and Safe Sport Authorization Act of 2017, is a federal law that expands mandated reporting laws to all youth sport organizations that participate in international and inter-state sporting events. In addition to the mandatory reporting requirements under NC State law, there is a requirement to report suspicions of child abuse to the U.S. Center for Safe Sport if your organization is governed by a “National Governing Body” or “Paralympic Sports Organization.”

6. Reporting Violations of University Policy

Immediately report any known or reasonably suspected violations of the Programs and Activities Involving Minors on Campus policy, or any other University policy, procedure, or guideline, to the Office for Institutional Integrity and Access by emailing (hlindkvi@unca.edu), calling 828.232.5658, or using the online Youth Protection Incident reporting form. The Vice Chancellor for Institutional Integrity and Access will consult with any other relevant officials or offices (e.g., General Counsel, Human Resources, or University Police). After-hours and weekend reports of policy violations must be reported by calling University Police at 828.232.5000.

Violations of University Policies by University Community members may result in disciplinary action or other sanctions applicable to the individual, up to and including suspension, dismissal, termination of employment or assignment, and, where appropriate, exclusion from campus. For non-University Program Staff, violations may result in disciplinary action the requires immediate removal from direct contact or virtual contact with Minor, and/or University property or facility.

The University may also take necessary interim actions before determining whether a violation has occurred, including temporarily restricting any individual against whom there is an allegation of misconduct from working with Minors in a Program or Activity until the matter has been satisfactorily resolved.

Violations of University Policy or guidelines also may result in immediate discontinuation or cancellation of the University-sponsored or -affiliated or non-University-run program or activity. Non-University organizations may be banned from use of University facilities.

7. Protection from Retaliation.

Under North Carolina law, a mandated reporter who makes a report in good faith, cooperates with law enforcement investigation, or testifies in any judicial proceeding resulting from a criminal investigation will be protected from any civil or criminal liability that might arise from the individual’s report or participation. Furthermore, University policy prohibits retaliation against anyone who makes a good faith report of abuse or neglect with regard to the terms and conditions of University employment or educational program.