{"id":4873,"date":"2018-06-25T18:16:56","date_gmt":"2018-06-26T01:16:56","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/policyusc.wpengine.com\/?p=4873"},"modified":"2025-12-16T12:46:49","modified_gmt":"2025-12-16T20:46:49","slug":"protecting-minors","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/policy.usc.edu\/protecting-minors\/","title":{"rendered":"Protecting Minors"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

1. Policy<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Issued: April 16, 2014 
Last Revised:\u202fApril 26, 2024 
Last Reviewed: January 7, 2025<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Applies to: <\/strong>Faculty (including part-time and visiting faculty), postdoctoral scholars, staff (including graduate\/undergraduate student workers and graduate assistants) employed by University of Southern California and including those working for the University\u2019s health system (\u201cUSC employees\u201d), students, and all others included in the definition of University Community, below.  This policy continues to apply to individuals on sabbatical, other leaves or while visiting other institutions.<\/em> <\/p>\n\n\n\n

2. Policy Purpose<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The University of Southern California (\u201cUSC\u201d or \u201cUniversity\u201d) is committed to providing safe environments and meaningful experiences for Minors participating in University-run or -affiliated activities, programs, and events, both on and off campus, and in a manner that aligns with our Unifying Values<\/a> of Integrity; Excellence; Community; Well-being; Open Communication; and Accountability. To uphold this commitment and comply with applicable laws, the University has established mandatory youth protection protocols and reporting responsibilities based on state and federal law to protect minors. These requirements are under the management of USC\u2019s Office of Youth Protection and Programming, in consultation with USC\u2019s Youth Protection Advisory and Working Groups.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

3. Policy Statement<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

All members of the USC community should be familiar and comply with the provisions of this Policy, any related policies, and applicable procedures. The Policy and related procedures apply to any program, activity or event involving Minors conducted on University property, in a University facility, or under the authority of the University at another location or virtually. Additionally, third parties that have been approved by the Office of Youth Protection and Programming to operate a Covered Activity must adhere to this Policy and associated procedures. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

4. Scope and Application <\/h2>\n\n\n\n

This Policy and applicable procedures apply to all members of the University Community. The reporting requirements in Section 6.I. (Reporting Requirements) do not supersede or exempt individuals from other University or legal reporting obligations, including the requirement to report prohibited conduct (as defined in the University\u2019s\u202fPolicy on Prohibited Discrimination, Harassment, and Retaliation<\/a>) to the USC Office of Civil Rights Compliance (OCRC) (formerly the Office for Equity, Equal Opportunity, and Title IX or EEO-TIX), as well as other mandated reporting requirements listed in\u202fUSC\u2019s Mandated Reporters policy.<\/a> <\/p>\n\n\n\n

5. Definitions<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Term<\/th>Definition <\/th><\/tr><\/thead>
Background Screening<\/strong> <\/td>The process by which an individual\u2019s information and background is verified and confirmed to help determine whether they are suited to work with Minors in a Covered Activity. Background Screening for Covered Activity Staff may include undergoing all or some of the following measures as outlined in this Policy: 
\u2013 Live Scan fingerprint-based background check 
\u2013 Written application Live interview Reference checks (non-family members) 
\u2013 U.S. Center for SafeSport Disciplinary Database crosscheck 
\u2013 Cross-check of University disciplinary records <\/td><\/tr>
Child \/ Minor<\/strong> <\/td>Any person under the age of 18 years. <\/td><\/tr>
Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting Act (\u201cCANRA\u201d)<\/strong> <\/td>California Penal Code \u00a7\u00a7 11164-11174.3<\/a>, as currently in effect or subsequently amended. <\/td><\/tr>
Child Abuse and Neglect<\/strong> <\/td>Child Abuse and Neglect includes: 
\u2013\u202fPhysical injury of a child inflicted by other than accidental means upon a child by another person;<\/em> 
\u2013\u202fSexual abuse, meaning sexual assault or sexual exploitation of a child;<\/em> 
\u2013\u202fNeglect, meaning negligent treatment or the maltreatment of a child by a person responsible for the child\u2019s welfare under circumstances indicating harm or threatened harm to the child\u2019s health or welfare, including both acts and omissions on the part of the responsible person;<\/em> 
\u2013\u202fWillful harming or injuring of a child or the endangering of the person or health of a child, meaning a situation in which any person willfully causes or permits any child to suffer, or inflicts thereon, unjustifiable physical pain or mental suffering, or having the care or custody of any child, willfully causes or permits the person or health of the child to be placed in a situation in which his or her person or health is endangered; or<\/em> 
\u2013\u202fUnlawful corporal punishment or injury, meaning a situation where any person willfully inflicts upon any child any cruel or inhuman corporal punishment or injury resulting in a traumatic condition.<\/em> 
\u2013\u202fChild Abuse or Neglect does not include a mutual affray between minors, or an injury caused by reasonable and necessary force used by a peace officer acting within the course and scope of his or her employment as a peace officer.<\/em> 
\u2013\u202fThe pregnancy of a minor does not in and of itself constitute a basis for reasonable suspicion of sexual abuse.<\/em> 
 
For specific definitions of what conduct meets the definition of abuse or neglect under CANRA see\u202fCalifornia Penal Code \u00a711165.1-11165.6.<\/a> <\/td><\/tr>
Covered Activity<\/strong> <\/td>Any activity, camp, program and\/or event in which the care, custody, and\/or supervision of one or more Minors (other than Minors who are Employees or Students) is reasonably expected to be the responsibility of one or more Covered Activity Staff, including University Employees, Students, Volunteers, and\/or Third-Party staff acting on behalf of or pursuant to a contract with the University. <\/td><\/tr>
Covered Activity Administrator<\/strong> <\/td>An individual, unit, school, recognized student organization, program, or Third Party that operates a Covered Activity. <\/td><\/tr>
Covered Activity Staff<\/strong> <\/td>All individuals reasonably expected to work with or otherwise come into Direct Contact with Minors in a Covered Activity. This includes Employees, Students, Volunteers, and Third Parties administering a Covered Activity, including all individuals employed by, contracted by, or volunteering for a Third Party in connection with a Covered Activity. <\/td><\/tr>
Direct Contact<\/strong> <\/td>Contact that is reasonably expected to entail care, custody, guidance, control, and\/or supervision of Minors in individual or group settings. <\/td><\/tr>
Employee<\/strong> <\/td>University employees, including University staff employees and non-University employees (such as employees of a staffing agency providing temporary personnel to the University) as defined in USC\u2019s\u202fEmployee Definitions policy<\/a>. <\/td><\/tr>
Mandated Reporter<\/strong> <\/td>Any individual who, by virtue of their profession or licensure, is required under CANRA to report Child Abuse and Neglect to specified authorities. For a full and specific list of categories defined by CANRA see\u202fCalifornia Penal Code \u00a711165.7<\/a>. <\/td><\/tr>
Personal Data<\/strong> <\/td>Any information that identifies or could identify an individual (either alone or in combination with other information) that lives in any format (electronic, hard copy, etc.), including but not limited to an individual\u2019s first and last name; telephone number; social media handle; photographs, videos or audio recordings; birthdate; education level, school enrollment; and parent\/legal guardian contact information. <\/td><\/tr>
Sponsoring Unit<\/strong> <\/td>An academic or administrative unit of the University or one of its schools\/colleges that: serves as a Covered Activity Administrator\u2019s point of contact with the University; confirms alignment between a Covered Activity and the goals, values and initiatives of the unit and the University; partners with the Covered Activity Administrator and the Office of Youth Protection and Programming in ensuring compliance by the Covered Activity with this Policy; and shares responsibility for its activities.\u202f \u202f\u202f <\/td><\/tr>
Student<\/strong> <\/td>For the full definition of a student, refer to the\u202fUSC Student Handbook<\/a>. <\/td><\/tr>
Third Party<\/strong> <\/td>An organization or individual not affiliated with the University that operates or administers a Covered Activity. <\/td><\/tr>
University Activities<\/strong> <\/td>All of the University\u2019s operations, including but not limited to locations, properties, events, or activities that are owned, sponsored, funded, affiliated with, or otherwise supported by the University. University Activities can include on-campus, off-campus, or online operations. Examples may include instruction; research; recruitment; admissions, athletic or recreational activities; conferences, meetings, social events, maintenance services, or other affiliated programs, activities, events or premises. <\/td><\/tr>
University Community<\/strong> <\/td>Employees, Students, Volunteers, Covered Activity Staff, Third Parties, and others that interact or engage with the University. <\/td><\/tr>
Volunteer<\/strong> <\/td>Any individual who is providing a service to the University or a Covered Activity, without monetary compensation, who is neither a USC Student nor a USC Employee. <\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

6. Policy Details<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

All members of the University Community are expected to be role models for young people and to therefore maintain the highest standards of behavior when interacting with Minors. This includes acting in a respectful and responsible manner that is consistent with the University\u2019s Integrity and Accountability Code and the behavioral expectations set forth in\u202fUSC\u2019s Guidelines for Interacting with Minors<\/a>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

I. Reporting Requirements<\/strong> <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The state of California has established various laws that seek to protect children from all forms of abuse, including the Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting Act (\u201cCANRA\u201d) set forth in\u202fCalifornia Penal Code \u00a7\u00a7 11164-11174.3<\/a>\u202f(see Section 10.I for more information).\u202fAlthough CANRA imposes mandatory reporting obligations only upon certain categories of employees, this Protecting Minors policy seeks to promote the protection of Minors more broadly by requiring that all University Employees and Covered Activity Staff, regardless of whether they qualify as Mandated Reporters, immediately report suspected Child Abuse and Neglect, as well as all other serious incidents or violations relating to Minors, to the appropriate external agencies and University officials as described below.<\/strong> <\/p>\n\n\n\n

A. Who Must Report<\/strong> 
All University Employees and Covered Activity Staff are required to report; all other members of the University Community are strongly encouraged to report as well. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

In addition to CANRA, California Penal Code \u00a7152.3 requires that any individual who reasonably believes that they have observed a murder, rape, abuse, or sexual assault of a child under 14 notify a law enforcement official. Failure to do so is punishable by fines, imprisonment, or both. See Section 10.1I. for more information. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

B. What Must Be Reported<\/strong> <\/p>\n\n\n\n

1. Child Abuse and Neglect<\/strong> <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The following general categories of Child Abuse and Neglect must be reported: <\/p>\n\n\n\n