Safe2Tell releases annual report: Reports increase in 2021-2022 school year

Oct. 18, 2022 (DENVER) — Today, Safe2Tell released its annual report for the 2021-2022 school year. The report provides an overview and analysis of report data submitted to Safe2Tell during the last school year and program highlights. It also includes recommendations on how to improve the program.

From Aug. 1, 2021, through July 31, 2022, Safe2Tell received a total of 19,364 reports, and 97% of those were valid reports—excluding test reports, duplicate reports, pranks, and hang-ups. This is a 70% increase in the number of reports received compared to the 2020-2021 school year. Monthly report volume decreased in the 2019-2020 school year as schools moved toward online learning, which was initiated due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The level of reports during the last year approached the pre-pandemic level achieved during Aug. 1, 2018-July 31, 2019, when over 20,000 reports were made to Safe2Tell.

Reports regarding suicide (2,652), bullying (1,423), and welfare checks (1,277) continue to be the top threats reported to Safe2Tell. The highest volume of reports was submitted via phone (30%) and mobile browser (30%), web browser (22%), and mobile app (18%).

Of the 19,364 reports received by the program, 84 were reported by a person concerned about their own mental health. Safe2Tell report analysts offered all who called the option to connect with Colorado Crisis Services, and six people who called regarding their own mental health concerns agreed to be transferred.

Safe2Tell also provided those who submitted reports via the website and mobile app with the contact information for Colorado Crisis Services.

“The rise in Safe2Tell reports as Colorado students returned to in-person learning shows that caring communities watch out for each other — an important reminder during Safe Schools Week,” said Colorado Attorney General Phil Weiser. “In the past year, we saw many examples of how reporting a potential safety threat to Safe2Tell can allow our community partners to intervene and save lives, from students calling about a friend who could be in crisis to reports of a weapon and threats against a school.”

“This year, we continued to expand program input through our student ambassador program, which was developed in part due to a recommendation in last year’s annual report,” said Safe2Tell Director Stacey Jenkins. “As we listen to our students, both through our ambassadors and through their reports, we know the vital importance of raising awareness about the program and continuing to be available for students to send urgent safety concerns.”

Of the total number of reports the program received during the 2021-2022 school year, 2% were false. False reports contain untrue information and are submitted to the program with the malicious intent to harm, injure, or bully another person.

Some recommendations in the report to improve the Safe2Tell program based on available data include:

  • Redevelop presentations for school staff, law enforcement, primary and secondary students, conferences, and partner groups.
  • Increase accessible training opportunities for school teams and law enforcement agencies statewide on understanding Safe2Tell best practices, identifying the differences between unfounded and false reports, using the Safe2Tell digital platform, and educating students on the proper use of the program.
  • Encourage local school districts to nominate a liaison to Safe2Tell. The liaison can help coordinate training with students and Safe2Tell teams, provide technical assistance support on reports, and increase collaboration between all partners.
  • Implement recommendations from the 2021-2022 student ambassadors.
  • Encourage collaboration among school teams, law enforcement agencies, and mental health partners by providing resources for developing and maintaining high-functioning multidisciplinary teams.

In accordance with C.R.S. § 24-31-611, the Safe2Tell Annual Report is submitted to the Education and Judiciary Committees of the House of Representatives and the Senate of the Colorado General Assembly.

Safe2Tell is a successful violence intervention and prevention program for youth and community members to anonymously report threats to their own and others’ safety. Safe2Tell is not an emergency response unit, nor does it provide crisis counseling services; it is a pathway for distributing anonymous reports to local law enforcement, school officials, and other appropriate responding parties according to state law.

To make a report, individuals can call 1-877-542-7233 from anywhere, 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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Media Contact

Lawrence Pacheco
Director of Communications
(720) 508-6553 office | (720) 245-4689 cell
Lawrence.pacheco@coag.gov