Reporting Abuse or Inappropriate Behavior with Minors
Indiana law requires anyone who has reason to believe that a person under the age of 18 is a victim of child abuse or neglect to make an oral report immediately to the local child protection service or the local law enforcement agency. This obligation applies regardless of whether the person under the age of 18 is an enrolled student at the University. If the Minor is on the University campus, the appropriate law enforcement agency to contact is the Notre Dame Police Department (NDPD) (574-631-5555). If the Minor is not on the University campus, the best way to contact the appropriate law enforcement agency is to call 911.
Separate from the requirements under Indiana law, any member of the University community should contact NDPD (574-631-5555) or the Integrity Line (800-688-9918) to discuss any suspicious, inappropriate, or unusual conduct involving a Minor while the Minor is on campus or is participating in a University-connected activity off campus that would lead a reasonable person to have concern for the current or future well-being of that particular Minor.
In addition, known or suspected child abuse and/or neglect involving University faculty, staff, students, volunteers, or contractors must be reported to the University through a Speak Up Report.
Frequently Asked Questions
- I have noticed someone exhibiting behavior towards a minor that seems concerning, but I don’t think it rises to the level of child abuse or neglect. What should I do?
- What does “reasonable suspicion” of child abuse or neglect mean?
- What safeguards are in place for individuals who make a report of child abuse or neglect to DCS?
- What happens after a report is made to DCS?
- What happens if I do not make a mandatory child abuse or neglect report?
- A current minor disclosed that they were the victim of abuse in the past, and that the matter was previously reported to authorities. Do I still need to report this?
- I learned that an adult experienced abuse as a child. Does this need to be reported?
- I am a ND employee, but I do not work with minors. Do I still have an obligation to report suspected child abuse and neglect?
- I volunteer at an organization and interact with minors in my free time, but my volunteer work is unrelated to my employment/position with ND. If I become aware of child abuse or neglect during the course of my volunteer duties, do I need to report?
- I have noticed someone exhibiting behavior towards a minor that seems concerning, but I don’t think it rises to the level of child abuse or neglect. What should I do?
All inappropriate behavior involving a minor, including grooming behavior or boundary violations, must be immediately reported to OIE. If you are unsure whether to report, contact OIE for guidance.
- What does “reasonable suspicion” of child abuse or neglect mean?
Reporting is required when there is “reasonable suspicion” that child abuse or neglect has occurred. Reasonable suspicion means that it is reasonable for a person to suspect based on the information, training, and experience the person has; it does not require certainty that an incident has occurred.
- What safeguards are in place for individuals who make a report of child abuse or neglect to DCS?
While mandatory reporters are required to provide their name when making a report, their identity and the content of the report is confidential and may only be disclosed to specified persons and agencies. Additionally, anyone who reports child abuse in good faith is protected by law from civil and criminal liability.
- What happens after a report is made to DCS?
When DCS receives a report, they will determine whether an investigation is necessary. For more information about the process, visit: https://www.in.gov/dcs/contact-us/child-abuse-and-neglect-hotline/
- What happens if I do not make a mandatory child abuse or neglect report?
By reporting child abuse or neglect, you may prevent a child from experiencing abuse or further harm. Failure to make the required reports is a serious neglect of duty, which may subject an individual to University disciplinary action and/or criminal and civil penalties.
- A current minor disclosed that they were the victim of abuse in the past, and that the matter was previously reported to authorities. Do I still need to report this?
Yes. If you reasonably suspect that a minor experienced abuse in the past, you must follow the reporting steps outlined in the Youth Protection Policy. Even if there is an indication that an incident of child abuse or neglect has been previously reported, this does not relieve a person of their obligation to report to both external authorities and university officials.
- I learned that an adult experienced abuse as a child. Does this need to be reported?
Incidents that occurred in the past where the minor involved at the time is now an adult (18 years of age or older) must be reported immediately to OIE for review to determine whether further reporting (e.g., to DCS) or action is necessary.
- I am a ND employee, but I do not work with minors. Do I still have an obligation to report suspected child abuse and neglect?
Yes. ND’s Youth Protection Policy requires that all University employees immediately report reasonable suspicion of child abuse or neglect to the proper external agencies (Indiana Department of Child Services at 1-800-800-5556).
- I volunteer at an organization and interact with minors in my free time, but my volunteer work is unrelated to my employment/position with ND. If I become aware of child abuse or neglect during the course of my volunteer duties, do I need to report?
Yes, you would need to report to Indiana DCS. Every adult in the state of Indiana is a mandatory reporter. If it is in connection with ND or has been perpetrated by a member of the University community, you must also immediately report to OIE regardless of the context in which information about the matter arises.