February Safe2Tell report shows 15% increase in reports when compared to January

March 8, 2022 (DENVER)—Safe2Tell report volume increased last month when compared to January, according to the monthly report released today.

In February, the program received 1,825 reports, a 15% increase in monthly report volume compared to January 2022. To date for the 2021-22 school year, Safe2Tell has received 12,971 reports.

Suicide threats (258), bullying (178), and welfare checks (127) were the top categories of reports in February. Welfare checks are usually reports that express concern about a peer.

“We as a state are continuing to focus on students’ mental health and wellbeing, but we must remember to be vigilant at home and in our schools as well,” said Attorney General Phil Weiser. “As this month’s anonymous reports demonstrate, reporting threats or harm to Safe2Tell can help ensure that harm stops, even before it has occurred.”

In this school year, false reports are 1.8% 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 February, anonymous reports from students and other individuals successfully helped protect students’ safety. For example:

• A student reported another student was threatening to harm others. Local teams spoke with the student making the threats and their family and reported that the student understands how threats can affect people.
• A person reported that a student physically assaulted another student. Local teams notified the parents, and reported that the student was suspended.

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

• A student requested that their school replace the water filters for clean water. The student was encouraged to share their concern with a staff member.

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 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, 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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