June Safe2Tell report shows increase in tips when compared to 2019

July 14, 2020 (DENVER, Colo.)—June 2020 Safe2Tell tips increased slightly over June 2019 tips, and reflected numbers typically seen during extended school closures, according to the monthly report released today.

Tip numbers from March-May were lower than in previous years due to extended school closures related to the COVID-19 pandemic. Reports are now reflecting numbers Safe2Tell typically sees during the summer.

“While lower tip numbers are expected in summer months when students are out of school, this summer students are experiencing unique stressors caused by the COVID-19 pandemic,” said Attorney General Phil Weiser. “We encourage parents, students, and community members to continue working together to ensure our children’s safety during this unprecedented time, and to report safety concerns to Safe2Tell.”

In June, Safe2Tell received 689 tips, a 2% increase in monthly tip volume compared to June 2019. To date for the 2019-2020 school year, Safe2Tell has received 20,249 tips, a 7% decrease from 2018-2019 school year. Suicide threats (133) remained the top tip reported to Safe2Tell in June, while welfare checks (48) remained the second-highest category after rising in April and May. Welfare checks are usually reports that express concern about a peer. They can be suicide-related or just general concern for a peer’s safety. Cyberbullying (43), which rose to the top three categories of tips in April, was again in the top three tip categories in June.

Typically, suicide, drugs, and bullying are the top tip categories reported to Safe2Tell.

Essi Ellis, director of Safe2Tell, said she is encouraged to see youth adjusting to social distancing and the cancellation of summer activities, and continuing to use Safe2Tell in the summer months.

“Even though Colorado schools are on summer break and we are unsure of how school will look this fall, Safe2Tell data indicates that students are continuing to utilize the anonymous reporting system,” said Ellis. “It is encouraging to see that throughout this pandemic students, parents, and community members continue to understand how, when, and why to make a Safe2Tell report.”
In June, anonymous tips from students and other individuals successfully helped protect students’ safety.

For example:

  • A tip was submitted regarding a safety concern for a student. Following a welfare check, the student was taken to the hospital.

The following is an example of misuse:

  • A tip was submitted regarding an altercation between several individuals that was occurring in the middle of the street outside the tipster’s home. The tipster was referred to their local police department.

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

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