HRM-028: Preventing and Addressing Threats or Acts of Violence

The University and Medical Center promote a safe environment in which to learn, live, and work by prohibiting threats or acts of violence. The University and Medical Center have established a Violence Prevention Committee and Threat Assessment Team (TAT) to assess, manage, intervene, and mitigate identified acts or threats of violence by or against faculty, staff, students, Medical Center employees, patients, and visitors or other non-affiliated individuals.

In situations where violence appears imminent or occurs, individuals should immediately call 911. Faculty, staff, students, Medical Center employees, patients, and visitors should report any violent or threatening behavior (see Section 1) either to the University Police Department (UPD), Medical Center Security, Student Affairs, Office for Equal Opportunity and Civil Rights (EOCR), University Human Resources (UHR), Medical Center Human Resources (MCHR), Patient Safety and Risk Management, the Director of Threat Assessment or through UVA Just Report It.

NOTE: Retaliation against any faculty, staff, student, Medical Center employee, patient, or visitor who in good faith, reports violent or threatening behavior per this policy is prohibited. Retaliatory actions will be referred to the appropriate disciplinary authority within the University and Medical Center.

1. Violent and/or Threatening Behavior:
   Violent and/or threatening behavior encompasses a range of activities occurring on or off University or Medical Center grounds and generates reasonable concern for personal or community safety. Violent and/or threatening behavior includes but is not limited to the following examples:

   • Brandishing a weapon or firearm.
   • Unsanctioned possession of firearms, weapons, or other dangerous items.
   • Intentionally injuring another person physically.
   • Committing injurious or threatening acts related to sexual assault, stalking, dating or domestic violence, or sexual or gender-based harassment.
   • Threatening to injure an individual or to damage property.
   • Hazing as defined in University Policy STU-005.
   • Defacing or damaging property.
   • Engaging in verbal or physical behavior that creates a reasonable fear of physical injury.
   • Intentionally engaging in verbal or physical behavior that subjects any individual to extreme emotional distress.
   • Engaging in threatening or violent behavior based on race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, or other protected status.

2. Violence Prevention Committee and Threat Assessment Team (TAT):
   The multidisciplinary TAT will consist of but is not limited to the following individuals and department representatives:

   • Associate Vice President of Safety and Security
   • Director of Threat Assessment
   • University Police Department
   • Student Affairs
   • Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS)
   • Office for Equal Opportunity and Civil Rights
   • University HR/Employee Relations
   • Medical Center HR/Employee Relations
   • Faculty and Employee Assistance Program
   • Patient Safety/Risk Management
   • Faculty Representative
   • Office of University Counsel*

   ____________
   * Provides legal advice and counsel to the TAT.
   ____________

   The TAT does not serve as a disciplinary body; however, referrals will be made to the appropriate disciplinary authority regarding violent or threatening behavior per University policy.

3. Support and Safety Planning:
   The University and Medical Center will make efforts to protect and support those subjected to or threatened by acts of violence by discussing safety planning and identifying appropriate resources. University, Medical Center, and community resources referrals include but are not limited to: law enforcement, health care facilities, counseling services, victim advocacy groups, legal aid, domestic violence shelters, CAPS, University Women’s Center, EOCR, Student Affairs, and the Faculty and Employee Assistance Program.

   Individuals directly affected by or at risk of ongoing violence may also need accommodations or adjustments to enhance their safety. Accommodations may include but are not limited to: access to counseling services; adjustments to class or work schedules or locations; parking modifications; time off to attend legal proceedings; and/or temporary or permanent student housing changes. The University shall accommodate requests as appropriate per the recommendation and guidance of the TAT.

4. Responsibilities:
   The Associate Vice President of Safety and Security is responsible for the implementation of this policy for the University and the University Medical Center.

   The Director of Threat Assessment, per the designation of the Associate Vice President of Safety and Security, is responsible for: determining membership on the multidisciplinary threat assessment team; assessing the TAT and its management/intervention process; coordinating annual training for members of the TAT; determining a strategic direction for this policy’s implementation; and overseeing University and Medical Center training regarding this policy and warning behaviors that may precede violence.

   The Violence Prevention Committee and Threat Assessment Team is responsible for (1) developing policies and procedures for the prevention of violence on Grounds and (2) reviewing reported violent or threatening behavior (see Section 1), gathering pertinent information, determining intervention and management strategies, implementing protective measures for victims, and documenting actions taken.

   All University faculty, staff, students, Medical Center employees, patients, and visitors are responsible for being alert to the possibility of violence and reporting violent or threatening behavior (see Section 1) to either to University Police, Student Affairs, EOCR, UHR, MCHR, Patient Safety and Risk Management, the Director of Threat Assessment, or through UVA Just Report It. In situations where violence appears imminent or occurs, individuals should immediately call 911.

   Any University faculty, staff, student, or Medical Center employee who obtains a court order of protection is responsible for alerting a member of the Threat Assessment Team of the existence of such order and providing a copy.

   All University faculty, staff, students, and Medical Center employees are expected to cooperate fully with the TAT including but not limited to: answering questions about violent or threatening behavior, answering questions about persons of concern (e.g., the environment where they live, work, study, or receive care; stressors, health, emotional health, history of violence or threatening statements, and weapon possession), providing employee and student records subject to relevant state and federal laws.

5. Compliance with Policy:
   Failure to comply with the requirements of University or Medical Center policy (e.g., engaging in violent or threatening behavior that violates the employee, faculty, student, or patient codes of conduct; the Title IX Policy; the Preventing and Addressing Discrimination and Harassment (PADH Policy); or the Preventing and Addressing Retaliation Policy) may result in disciplinary action up to and including termination of employment, services, or expulsion. Any individual who engages in violent or threatening behavior may be removed and/or prosecuted for trespass, disorderly conduct, or other offenses under state or federal law.

   Questions about this policy should be directed to the Director of Threat Assessment.