Minors come to campus for a variety of reasons. They may visit as prospective students once they graduate from high school, come as participants on field trips or community service projects, or come to attend an athletic event. Whatever the reason for their presence, Rockhurst personnel are to be particularly vigilant regarding their safety and security. This duty increases as Rockhurst’s role in their care, custody or control while on campus increases.
Consistent with Missouri law, it is Rockhurst’s policy that anyone who has reasonable cause to suspect that a minor child has been or may be subjected to abuse or neglect or observes a child being subjected to conditions or circumstances that would reasonably result in abuse or neglect shall immediately report that suspicion to Security and his/her supervisor. Security will also ensure that a report is made by the observer or another University employee to the Children’s Division Child Abuse and Neglect Hotline Unit (1-800-392-3738) in a timely manner.
“Reasonable cause” does not require that the individual making the observation conduct an investigation prior to making the report of his or her suspicion that a child has been abused or neglected or is at risk of it. Moreover, Missouri law protects from liability anyone who makes such a report in good faith.