Safe2Tell Annual Report confirms historic year in reporting

Safe2Tell Annual Report confirms historic year in reporting

Nov. 12, 2024 (DENVER) - A record-breaking 28,218 reports were submitted to Safe2Tell in the 2023-2024 school year, highlighting the program's growing importance as a critical resource for Colorado students and communities. According to the annual report released today by the Colorado Attorney General's Office, suicide, bullying, drugs, and school threats led the list of concerns, with school complaints rising to the most-reported category for the first time in Safe2Tell's history.

"The rise in reports reflects both the increasing challenges young people are facing and the commitment of Safe2Tell's trainers and ambassadors in building awareness across Colorado," said Attorney General Phil Weiser. "Today's students need support more than ever, and I am thankful Safe2Tell offers a trusted, accessible platform where they can voice their concerns and help make our schools safer for everyone."

The annual report indicates a notable rise from last year's 22,246 reports and provides analysis and recommendations to further strengthen the program. School complaints (2,856), suicide threats (2,847), and bullying (2,832) each made up about 10% of all reports, followed by drugs (1,473) and threats (1,062), which collectively accounted for 41.32% of submissions. The report also details outcomes where the program safeguarded student's safety and saved lives by prompting parental involvement, counseling, investigations, welfare checks, and, when necessary, school disciplinary action or arrests.

The report recommends replacing the broad school complaint category with three new report types for the 2024-2025 school year to better align with Safe2Tell's mission. The new categories-staff, facility, and policy-related safety concerns-will allow for improved responses to student reports and more comprehensive data reporting.

"These categories sharpen our focus on specific safety concerns, empowering school districts and law enforcement to better support children and communities across Colorado," said Safe2Tell Director Stacey Jenkins. "This approach ultimately creates safer schools, where students feel their concerns are understood and appropriately addressed."

Safe2Tell also commenced a new Gold Star program in fall 2023 to acknowledge the work being done in Colorado schools relating to Safe2Tell education and outreach for their students, staff, and communities, and recognized its first Gold Star School, Stargate Charter School, in March.

Of the total number of reports the program received during the 2023-2024 school year, 3.7% were false. False reports contain untrue information and are submitted to the program with the intent to harm, injure, or bully another person.

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.

The October 2024 Monthly report was also released today revealing 3,492 reports. In October, Safe2Tell saw a 26% decrease in report volume compared to a record-breaking September, with the most common issues being suicide (411), bullying (352), and school safety concerns: staff (303). False reports make up 2.5% of all reports submitted to the program so far this school year.

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, 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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Media Contact:
Mallory Boyce
Communications Specialist
720-508-6787 (office) | 720-219-1898 (cell)
[email protected]