Reporting Abuse

DUTY TO REPORT

All employees have a duty to report abuse.

 

WHO HAS THE DUTY TO REPORT

All University employees have a duty to report. 

WHAT TO REPORT

Report any suspected neglect or abuse of a minor. 

HOW TO REPORT

If any person has reason to suspect that a Minor has been subject to neglect or abuse, he or she must immediately do the following:

a)   Inform the University Police Department

• Hattiesburg: 601-266-4986;
• Gulf Coast:  228-234-2068 or
• other appropriate law enforcement agency, and
• if the suspected assault or abuse presents an imminent danger to a Minor, contact should occur immediately;

b)   Report the activity to the Mississippi Department of Child Protection Services

• by calling the Abuse hotline 800-222-8000 and
• provide a written report to the Department of Child Protection Services as soon thereafter as possible. See Miss. Code Ann. §43-21-353;and

c)   If the Minor is a participant in a Program, notify each of the following:

• the Title IX Coordinator 601-266-6804 or designee
• as well as the Program Director.

NOTE:  If, however, the Program Director may be involved in the suspected assault or abuse, only report the suspected assault or abuse directly to the University’s Title IX Coordinator or designee.