Bryan administration releases audit of Education Department child-abuse reporting protocols

Gov. Albert Bryan Jr. announced on Sept. 11, 2024, the release of an audit of Virgin Islands Department of Education policies and procedures for reporting child abuse.

The audit, conducted by the John Praed Foundation and commissioned by the Virgin Islands Department of Human Services, reviewed reporting mechanisms, identified systemic challenges and made recommendations for changes. Bryan said the review was an overall examination of Education Department policies and was not tied to any specific case.

According to the administration, the audit found barriers to reporting in the territory’s small community, including concerns about confidentiality and retaliation. It also cited a lack of formalized policies, inadequate classroom support and limited collaboration between the Education and Human Services departments.

The report recommended clear policies and practice guidelines for identifying and referring suspected child abuse to Human Services. It also recommended creating a single Human Services-operated hotline and a web-based reporting tool, and said school counselors should receive additional trauma-informed training on identifying abuse, legal responsibilities and crisis response.

The administration said the Education and Human Services departments had already begun standardizing reporting procedures, strengthening coordination and developing a mandatory reporting policy and staff training.

Bryan also referred to the arrest, conviction and sentencing of Bruce Smith, identified in the release as a Charlotte Amalie High School official on child-molestation charges. The administration said that matter had been referred to the Virgin Islands Department of Justice for further investigation.

Official source: https://www.vi.gov/administration-announces-release-of-audit-on-child-abuse-reporting-protocols-in-the-department-of-education/