Safe2Tell sees continued growth in reporting with start of 2024-2025 school year

Safe2Tell sees continued growth in reporting with start of 2024-2025 school year

Sept. 10, 2024 (DENVER) - Safe2Tell saw a 23% rise in reports for August 2024 compared to the same month in 2023, continuing an upward trend in reporting that the program saw in the previous school year. According to the monthly report released today, a total of 1,807 reports were made in August, marking the start of the 2024-2025 academic term.

"As Safe2Tell continues to grow, its impact is felt not just in schools, but in communities across Colorado," said Attorney General Phil Weiser. "By encouraging early reporting, we're helping to create a future where issues are addressed before they lead to tragedy."

August saw a 145% increase in report volume compared to July. This upsurge is typical as students return to school after the summer months. The most common issues reported in August were suicide (201), bullying (134), and school safety concern: staff (124), a new category this year.

As Safe2Tell Director Stacey Jenkins explains, "During the 2023-2024 school year, Safe2Tell saw an increase in school complaint reports covering a range of issues, some of which were not safety related. To better align with its mission, Safe2Tell is replacing the 'school complaint' category with three new categories for the 2024-2025 school year and will continue to monitor and adjust as needed."

The three new report categories address school safety concerns, divided into staff, facility, and policy-related matters.

False reports make up 2.2 % of all reports submitted to the program this year. False reports are those that contain untrue information and are submitted with the intent to harm, injure, or bully another person.

Safe2Tell's anonymous reporting platform played a crucial role in protecting students' safety this past month:

• A person reported a student did not feel safe going home and expressed discomfort at being around their guardian. After speaking with the student, the school team concluded they should contact the Department of Human Services. The school psychologist will also check in on the student.
• A person reported that a student and their family have been victims of gun violence, have access to guns in their home, and that the family needs help. School teams contacted the family, will meet with the student to connect them with the school psychologist to conduct a threat assessment, and have a security guard at school.

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 required by 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, by texting S2TCO to 738477, or through the Safe2Tell mobile app which is available on the Apple App Store or Google Play.

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