The Code of Virginia §63.2-100 defines an abused or neglected child as any child under 18 years of age whose parent or any person responsible for his or her care

• Causes or threatens to cause a non-accidental physical or mental injury

• Has a child present during the manufacture of a controlled substance or during the unlawful sale of such substance where such activity would constitute a felony violation

• Neglects or refuses to provide adequate food, clothing, shelter, emotional nurturing, or health care

• Abandons the child

• Neglects or refuses to provide adequate supervision in relation to a child’s age and level of development

• Knowingly leaves a child alone in the same dwelling with a person, not related by blood or marriage, who has been convicted of an offense against a minor for which registration is required as a violent sexual offender

• Commits or allows to be committed any illegal sexual act upon a child, including incest, rape, indecent exposure, or prostitution, or allows a child to be used in any sexually explicit visual material

Call DSS or the hotline whenever you believe that a person who is caring for a child, who lives with a child, or who works with and around children has caused injury or harm or put the child at risk of physical injury, as defined in the Code of Virginia. For example, you should call if

• You see someone hitting a child with an object

• You see marks on a child’s body that do not appear to have been caused by an accident

• A child tells you that he or she has been harmed by someone

• A child appears to have been left alone, dressed inappropriately for the weather, or appears to be undernourished

You are required to report the matter as soon as possible, and no longer than 24 hours after having reason to suspect a reportable offense of child abuse or neglect.

Please see resources for guidance on how to recognize abuse or neglect.

Resources:

• Quick Guide: Recognizing, Reporting, and Preventing Child Abuse and Neglect in Virginia
• Online Training for Mandated Reporters, from Virginia Department of Social Services
• UVA Office of Youth Protection

• Local office of the Department of Social Services (Albemarle County Department of Social Services: 434.972.4010)
• Department of Social Service’s state-wide toll-free child abuse and neglect hotline: 1.800.552.7096
• University Police: 434.924.7166
• For non-emergency reports, you may use Virginia Department of Social Services secure portal to expedite submissions of suspected child abuse or neglect. 
• Notify the UVA Office of Youth Protection through JustReportIt or youthprotection@virginia.edu. 

You can notify your supervisor or other University administrators in addition to reporting to one of the agencies above.

You are immune from civil or criminal liability if you do the following, unless you are acting in bad faith or with malicious purpose

• Make a report or provide records or information pursuant to §63.2-1509
• Testify in any judicial proceeding arising from such reports or information

• You may be fined up to $500 for the first failure and at least $1,000 for subsequent failures
• If you knowingly and intentionally fail to make reports in cases involving rape, sodomy, or object sexual penetration, you may be guilty of a Class 1 misdemeanor

Under the CODE OF VIRGINIA § 63.2-1509 there are penalties for failure of physicians, nurses, teachers, and any person employed by a public institution of higher education (among others) to report certain injuries to children.

To help identify potential abuse, refer to the Guide for Mandated Reporters.