Safe2Tell reports increase 89% in September according to monthly report
Oct. 11, 2022 (DENVER) — Safe2Tell report volume increased 89% last month when compared to August, according to the monthly report released today.
In September, the program received 2,025 reports. Suicide threats (250), bullying (177), and school complaints (150) were among the top categories of reports. To date for the 2022-2023 school year, Safe2Tell has received 3,096 reports.
The program recorded a higher number of duplicate reports (273), which are reports regarding a concern or event that has already been reported, than in August. They often indicate a healthy culture of reporting safety concerns in a community.
“Last month, we heard from the community that threatening posts were being spread on social media, which likely led to the rise in duplicate reports recorded by Safe2Tell in September,” said Attorney General Phil Weiser. “Whenever students or community members see a threatening social post about a school, we encourage taking a screenshot and sending it directly to Safe2Tell. Re-sharing harmful or threatening posts you see on social media can add to the harm and spread fear or disinformation.”
In this school year, false reports are 2.2% of all reports submitted to Safe2Tell. False reports are those that contain untrue information and are submitted with the intent to harm, injure, or bully another person.
In September, anonymous reports from students and other individuals successfully helped protect students’ safety. For example:
- A person reported that a student expressed thoughts of hurting themselves. Local teams contacted the parent and conducted a welfare check, and the student was transported to the hospital.
- A person reported that a student had possession of a firearm and that the student was going to attack the school. Local teams contacted the parent, conducted a home visit, and confiscated a weapon. School disciplinary action was taken, and a restorative conversation was facilitated with the student.
The following is an example of unintentional misuse of the program:
- A parent reported that their child’s school grounds were being used as a dog park outside of school hours. This person’s concerns were forwarded to the appropriate personnel, and they were encouraged to go directly to their school or school district in the future.
Safe2Tell is a successful violence intervention and prevention program for students to anonymously report threats to their own, and others’, safety. Safe2Tell is not an emergency response unit nor mental health counseling service provider; it is an information pathway for distributing anonymous reports to local law enforcement and school officials pursuant to state law.
To make a report, individuals can call 1-877-542-7233 from anywhere, at any time. Reports also can be made at Safe2Tell.org or through the Safe2Tell mobile app which is available on the Apple App Store or Google Play.
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