Policy Updates

Updates to HRM-050: Protection of Minors and Reporting Abuse

Background

The Office of Youth Protection within the Department of Safety and Security was established in 2018 following a directive by the Board of Visitors. HRM-050 addresses recommendations associated with an internal audit of the University's youth programs and camps. In 2018, HRM-050 established safety requirements for the identified youth programs and camps, then estimated 10 programs in total per year.

In fall 2024 and spring 2025, a comprehensive review of University policy HRM-050: Protection of Minors and Reporting Abuse was conducted. The review occurred as part of a new staff transition to UVA, as part of a review cadence after five years of the policy, and as a result of findings from an internal audit by the UVA Office of Audit and Compliance. Changes to HRM-050 will:

  1. Reflect findings and recommendations by Internal Audit about the policy and procedures associated with the Office of Youth Protection
  2. Align the safety requirements at the University with industry best practices and benchmarking against other institutions of higher education.
  3. Create a framework that matches the scope and breadth of the types of programs offered to youth, now known to be at least 250 programs per year, serving approximately 30,000 minors
  4. Address risk assessment and youth program quality
  5. Align with the 2030 plan and meet community-identified programming needs

 

Substantive Changes

  • Added language about the value of youth programming
  • Added definitions - "Grooming" and "Minor Internship"
  • Added additional incident reports to provide a mechanism for families, youth, and program staff to report concerning behavior and other incidents
  • Expanded section on Covered Programs and broke it down according to the risk level of programming, with additional requirements for higher risk programs
  • Added additional screening controls, including applications, interviews, reference checks of both staff and students.
  • Added restrictions for one-on-one interactions between minors and program staff
  • Added minimum ages for Covered Program Staff and established age gaps between program staff and minors
  • Added requirements to include emergency plans, medication procedures, and ADA accommodations language in program materials
  • Incorporated IRB studies under Covered Programs
    • E.g. IRB – Incorporated studies involving minors under Covered Programs, unless a parent/guardian is present
  • Confirmed Prospective Student Athlete visits are considered Covered Programs

 

Contact

If you have questions about this or any other policy related to Youth Protection at UVA, please reach out to Office of Youth Protection at [email protected]