Reporting

Injuries and Illnesses 

Injuries and illnesses that occur on Stanford University property must be promptly reported to the Office of Risk Management. For injuries and illnesses involving a minor, follow the instructions on the Incident Investigation Report page.

Sexual Harassment

Additional information and resources concerning sexual harassment can be found on the SHARE Title IX Office website.

Mandated Reporter

California laws and Stanford policy require certain individuals at Stanford to report known or reasonably suspected child abuse or neglect to the authorities. These individuals are known under the law as "Mandated Reporters." All mandated reporters are required to submit an Acknowledgment Form and be provided with copies of the State of California Penal Code provisions. 

Please note that Mandated Reporters in this context differs from reporting in the Title IX context and reporting as a Campus Security Authority under the Clery Act. Please note that some individuals may have multiple reporting duties in various contexts.

Who Must Report and When

Every member of the Stanford community should report known or reasonably suspected child abuse or neglect, regardless of whether they are a mandated reporter. 

Penal Code section 11165.7 lists 49 categories of professionals or individuals who are mandated reporters. 

Most of Stanford’s mandated reporters fall within a category that includes all individuals who come into contact with children on a regular basis, or who supervise those who do. Examples include but are not limited to:

• Faculty, academic staff, graduate students, and other instructors who teach courses in which minors are enrolled, including Summer Session
• Residential Student Leaders
• Faculty, staff, or graduate students sponsoring a minor intern
• Camp counselors
• Adult volunteers who have direct contact with and/or supervise minors are also considered mandated reporters 

Individuals in the above categories are required to report known or reasonably suspected child abuse or neglect that occurs on campus or at an official Stanford-sponsored program or activity.

Other categories of mandated reporter at Stanford include:

• Police officers and employees of a police department
• Medical personnel, such as physicians and surgeons, residents and interns, psychiatrists, psychologists, and psychological assistants
• Employees of a licensed child care facility
• Youth camp administrators
• Athletic coaches, assistant coaches, and graduate assistants involved in coaching 
• Clergy (unless information obtained during a "penitential communication")
• Human resources employees, including HR Managers and HR Administrators
• Adult employees who have direct contact with and/or supervise minors in the workplace (including employees who are minors)
• The following roles at Stanford Online High School: instructors, staff, board members, contractors whose duties require contact with/supervision of pupils, and volunteers over 18 who interact with pupils outside of direct supervision and control of parents/guardians or school employees

Individuals in the above categories are mandated to report more broadly: they must report whenever in their professional capacity, or in the course and scope of their employment, they have knowledge of or observe a child who they know or reasonably suspect has been the victim of child abuse or neglect.

If you have questions about whether you're considered a mandated reporter, please contact University Human Resources--Employee & Labor Relations at 650-721-4272 or protectminors@stanford.edu. 

How to Report

• Call the child welfare authorities or the police immediately, or as soon as practically possible.
• Send a written follow-up report within 36 hours by e-mail, fax, or mail.

NOTE: Mandated reporters are immune from criminal or civil liability for reports made in good faith.

Important Contact Details 

• In an emergency, call 911 (9-911 from campus).
• Santa Clara County Child Abuse and Neglect Center at 650-493-1186.
• Stanford University Department of Public Safety at 650-723-9633 during business hours or 650-329-2413 after hours.
• If the child lives in California, you may alternately call the authorities serving the area where the child lives.
• Stanford mandated reporters should inform their supervisor and University Human Resources--Employee & Labor Relations at 650-721-4272 or protectminors@stanford.edu about any mandatory reports, after the mandated reporter calls the authorities.

Form to Use After Reporting

This is the required form for the written follow-up report that must be submitted within 36 hours of receiving the information concerning the incident:

•  Suspected Child Abuse Report Form and Instructions (BCIA 8572)

Consequences for NOT Reporting

Failure to report is a misdemeanor punishable by up to 6 months in jail and/or up to a $1,000 fine. If willful failure to report abuse or neglect results in death or great bodily injury, the penalty increases to up to one year in jail and/or up to a $5,000 fine. There may also be civil liability.

Failure to report is also a violation of university policy and may be subject to corrective action, up to and including termination of employment.

Training

Employees and others who have been identified as Mandated Reporters for Child Abuse are required to submit the online “Acknowledgement of Mandated Reporter” form. For Program Staff working in a Stanford-sponsored minors program, please refer to the Program Staff page.

Follow the instructions below to enroll and launch the online course, “Stanford University Acknowledgement of Mandated Reporter.” Make sure the popup blocker is turned off for your browser before you launch the following link.

Instructions to Complete and Submit the Acknowledgement Form

• Login to Axess (secure), click the STARS tab, and click "CATALOG".
• Click "Search Catalog", type in "Mandated Reporter", and click "Search". The "Stanford University Acknowledgement of Mandated Reporter (OGC-0001)" course should pop up.
• Click the “LAUNCH” button for the Class Code "OGC-0001-WEB". On the next page, click the "Launch" link for the "Mandated Reporter Acknowledgement".
• Click the “Next” button to review the training slides. 
• When prompted, review the "STANFORD Mandated Reporter Acknowledgement," click "I agree," and click "Submit" to complete.

Additional online training is available at the California Department of Social Services (CDSS) "Child Abuse Mandated Reporter Training" website. CDSS offers a General Training and specialized trainings for School Personnel, Child Care Providers, Medical Professionals, Mental Health & Social Workers, Law Enforcement, Clergy, and Volunteers.

For More Information

• For questions about whether something you know or suspect is reportable, please call the child welfare authorities at 650-493-1186.
• For questions about university policy, the Stanford community can contact University Human Resources--Employee & Labor Relations at 650-721-4272 or protectminors@stanford.edu.