November Safe2Tell report shows continued decrease in tips when compared to 2019

Dec. 8, 2020 (DENVER, Colo.)— Safe2Tell tip volume decreased last month when compared to November 2019, according to the monthly report released today.

In November, the program received 1,045 tips, a 60% decrease in monthly tip volume compared to November 2019. To date for the 2020-2021 school year, Safe2Tell has received 4,019 tips, a 57% decrease from 2019-2020 school year, which is likely due to delayed school openings and distance learning practices as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Suicide threats (232), welfare checks (95), and cyberbullying (63) were the top categories of tips reported to the program.

“Welfare checks, which are usually reports that express concern about a peer, have appeared in the top three tip categories for Safe2Tell throughout the COVID-19 pandemic,” said Attorney General Phil Weiser. “While schools are often remote, it remains vital that students and community members look out for the wellbeing of Colorado’s youth. The continued use of Safe2Tell to anonymously report these concerns shows our state is taking youth safety seriously. And our responses demonstrate how we are partnering with mental health professionals to support our students as effectively as possible during this challenging time.”

False tips are down to 1.5% from the previous school year’s 2.5% of all tips submitted to Safe2Tell, which is also likely due to the COVID-19 pandemic. False tips are those that contain untrue information and are submitted with the intent to harm, injure, or bully another person.

In November, anonymous tips from students and other individuals successfully helped protect students’ safety. For example:

• A tipster reported potential abuse at a student’s home, which upon investigation was revealed to be self-harm. The student was provided counseling services.
• A report was submitted by a tipster who was concerned about a student threatening self-harm. The student will be speaking with a trusted adult and a counselor.

The following is an example of misuse of the Safe2Tell program:

• A tipster contacted Safe2Tell asking to speak with someone, rather than submit a tip. They agreed to be referred to Colorado Crisis Services and were directly transferred.

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 a conduit of information for distributing anonymous tips to local law enforcement and school officials pursuant to state law.

To make a report, individuals can call 1-877-542-7233 from anywhere, 24 hours a day, seven days a week. 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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