Working with Minors at Stanford

University Human Resources

March 2019

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Agenda

• Stanford Policy
• Guidelines for Appropriate Behavior
• Reporting Inappropriate Behavior
• Child Abuse and Neglect (Mandated Reporter)
• Sexual Assault, Harassment and Stalking
• Health & Safety Guidelines for Minors in Labs

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Stanford Policy

ADMINISTRATIVE GUIDE MEMO 1.8.1: �PROTECTION OF MINORS

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Stanford Policy

A minor is anyone under 18 years old.

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Administrative Guide Memo 1.8.1: Protection of Minors describes Stanford’s requirements for individuals who work directly with minors.

• Complete and clear a Live Scan background check
• Complete training on working with minors
• Sign Mandated Reporter acknowledgement in STARS

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More information about the Protection of Minors policy may be found at protectminors.stanford.edu.

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Stanford Policy

Ratio of Staff to Minors

• All covered programs must meet the following minimum staffing ratios:

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Guidelines for Appropriate Behavior

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Guidelines for Appropriate Behavior

Key guidelines:

• DO be a positive role model.
• DO behave in a way that does not cause harm or make a minor uncomfortable, and cannot be misinterpreted by others.
• DO be sure minors are always adequately supervised.
• DO take necessary precautions to help ensure the safety of minors, including reporting inappropriate behavior by others.

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Guidelines for Appropriate Behavior

Conduct to avoid:

• DON’T be alone with a minor.
• DON’T engage in sexual activity of any kind with minors. That includes sexual comments, jokes, or sharing sexually explicit material.
• DON’T use email, texting, social networking, Internet chat, or similar media to communicate with minors unless you have a valid reason related to the program.
• DON’T touch minors in a way that a reasonable person might interpret as inappropriate.
• DON’T behave in an abusive manner toward or in the presence of minors; that means verbal abuse as well as physical actions like hitting, poking, or restraining.

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Guidelines for Appropriate Behavior

• DON’T use, possess, or be under the influence of alcohol or illicit drugs while you’re working with minors, or while you’re responsible for their welfare.
• DON’T leave a minor alone in a student residence without supervision, unless the minor is participating in a residential program. Babysitting in student residences is also not allowed.
• DON’T engage with minors outside official program activities.
• DON’T transport a minor alone in a vehicle, and avoid using your own personal vehicle for transporting minors.

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Reporting Inappropriate Behavior

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Reporting Inappropriate Behavior

If you see something, say something.

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Every member of the Stanford community has an obligation to report instances or suspicions of abuse, neglect, or inappropriate behavior with minors.

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Reports should be made to your Program Sponsor and University Human Resources.

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University Human Resources

(650) 721-4272

protectminors@stanford.edu

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Child Abuse and Neglect

MANDATED REPORTER OBLIGATIONS

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Child Abuse and Neglect (Mandated Reporter)

The Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting Act (CANRA) requires certain individuals to report known or reasonably suspected child abuse and neglect to the authorities.

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Any Stanford employee who comes into contact with children on a regular basis, or who supervises those who do, is required to report known or reasonably suspected abuse that occurs on campus or at an official Stanford sponsored program or activity.

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Mandated reporters include:

• Faculty, academic staff, graduate students and other instructors who teach courses in which minors are regularly enrolled, including Summer Session
• Residential advisors
• Faculty, staff, or graduate student sponsoring a minor intern
• Camp counselors

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Child Abuse and Neglect (Mandated Reporter)

Other categories of mandated reporter at Stanford have broader reporting obligations. These individuals must report any abuse or neglect that comes to their attention in the scope of their employment or professional responsibilities, regardless of where it occurred.

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These categories include:

• Police officers and employees of a police department
• Medical personnel, such as physicians and surgeons, residents and interns, psychiatrists, psychologists, psychological assistants
• Employees of a licensed child care facility
• Youth camp administrators
• K-12 teachers, teacher’s aides, or administrators, such as online high school teachers
• Athletic coaches, assistant coaches, and graduate assistants involved in coaching
• Clergy (unless information obtained during a "penitential communication")

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Child Abuse and Neglect (Mandated Reporter)

If you’re not sure whether or what category of mandated reporter you are, or whether to report a particular incident, talk to your Program Sponsor, who can get you further guidance (such as by contacting University Human Resources).

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If you are a mandated reporter, you must sign the Mandated Reporter acknowledgement in STARS.

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Child Abuse and Neglect (Mandated Reporter)

Mandated reporters are required to report known or reasonably suspected child abuse and neglect to one of the following agencies:

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Santa Clara County Department of Family & Children’s Services

Child Abuse and Neglect Center

(650) 493-1186

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Stanford Department of Public Safety

(650) 723-9633 (8 am-5 pm, M-F, excluding holidays)

(650) 329-2413 (24/7)

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In an emergency, dial 911 or 9-911 from a university phone.

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Within 36 hours, you must file a written report with the same agency where you made the initial report.

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Reports should also be made internally to the Program Sponsor, University Human Resources, and/or the Compliance and Ethics Helpline.

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Mandated reporters are immune from criminal or civil liability for reports made in good faith. Keep in mind that your duty is to report, not investigate.

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Sexual Assault, Harassment and Stalking

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Sexual Assault, Harassment and Stalking

Title IX is a federal law that prohibits discrimination on the basis of sex or gender in any federally funded education program or activity.

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Conduct prohibited by Title IX includes sexual assault, sexual harassment, sexual misconduct, relationship violence and stalking.

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If you are a victim, or if you suspect that sexual assault, harassment, or stalking has occurred, report the incident to the Title IX Office and the Program Sponsor.

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Title IX Office

(650) 497-4955

titleix@stanford.edu

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In an emergency, dial 911 or 9-911 from a university phone.

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Sexual Assault, Harassment and Stalking

Sexual assault is defined as “actual, attempted, or threatened commission of an unwanted sexual act that occurs without consent, or that happens under threat or coercion.”

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Stanford policy requires affirmative consent to sexual activity. In short, only “yes” means yes.

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A person cannot legally give consent if they are:

• Under 18 years of age
• Intoxicated or otherwise impaired
• Developmentally disabled

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Sexual Assault, Harassment and Stalking

Sexual harassment is defined as “any unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, and other visual, verbal, or physical conduct of a sexual nature.”

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Stalking is defined as “a course of conduct directed at a specific person that causes that person to fear for their safety or others’ safety, or to suffer substantial emotional distress.”

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Sexual Assault, Harassment and Stalking

What to do for an affected person:

• Take them to a place where they feel safe.
• Offer to get them medical attention.
• Let them know that there are confidential mental healthcare counseling resources available 24/7 through the YWCA Rape Crisis Hotline at (800) 572-2782.
• Inform them that they have the right, but not the obligation, to contact law enforcement or other authorities.
• Inform them that you are required to make a report to the Title IX Office.

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Health & Safety Guidelines for Minors in Labs

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Health & Safety Guidelines for Minors in Labs

There are strict laws and Stanford policies regulating minors working in labs.

• Minors must be at least 16 years old to work in a lab.
• Minors may work in a lab only under direct supervision. They are not permitted to work alone or have their own lab or building access.
• Certain types of lab activities may require completion of additional requirements, special authorizations, or written parental consent before minors are allowed to participate.
• Minors who will be working in a Stanford lab must receive required safety training.
• All lab-specific safety training provided to minors must be documented, and records retained for at least one year.
• Any accident or safety-related incident involving a minor must be reported to the Principal Investigator (PI) immediately.

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The PI may delegate the supervision of minors to other lab personnel, including graduate students or postdoctoral scholars, but the PI retains primary responsibility for the minors in the lab.

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Questions?

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Questions?

For any questions, contact the Program Sponsor or University Human Resources.

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University Human Resources

(650) 721-4272

protectminors@stanford.edu

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Review the full policy and more information at protectminors.stanford.edu.

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