Vanderbilt believes strongly in educating individuals on best practices for keeping minors (defined as persons under age 18) safe and the duty to report child maltreatment. In Tennessee, every adult is a mandatory reporter for suspicion of child abuse. For many Vanderbilt students, interaction with children and adolescents through service or academics is a vital part of the Vanderbilt experience. And students involved in research may also interact with minors as observers of–or participants in–the research.
Vanderbilt hosts thousands of minors in youth programs and activities. The Protection of Minors Policy was created to raise awareness of the responsibility inherent in operating and hosting youth programs, to standardize University practices and program structure, and to create a culture of safety- which includes a code of conduct when interacting with minors on behalf of Vanderbilt. The policy and website include individual and program compliance regulations, supervision expectations, steps for required program registration and other University resources for youth protection. Youth Protection policy and procedures administration is managed by University Compliance Services.
All students are required to complete Protection of Minors online training, and all students who are participating in student organizations, courses, or other Vanderbilt activities with minors are required to be in compliance with the University’s Protection of Minors policy and any ongoing training requirements. Tennessee is a mandatory reporting state, which means all suspicions of child abuse must be reported. The Protection of Minors policy clarifies the reporting process for both internal and external reporting of abuse and other safety concerns.