08/25/10 – Make a Call, Make a Difference
by Jo McGuireProgram Manager, Safe2Tell
In 1999, the U.S. Secret Service and U.S. Department of Education came together to study the alarming trends in school-related violence among youths. Findings showed that these incidents are rarely impulsive, but typically planned in advance and that – in the majority of cases – other young people knew what was going to occur before it happened, but failed to report it.
The same was found to be true of the shooting tragedy at Columbine High School. In 2001, the Columbine Commission Report underscored the need to address the "code of silence" among students, recommending a statewide hotline that would allow anonymous reporting of threats for further investigation. Many dedicated individuals and agencies came together to ensure prevention, intervention, education and awareness by creating open lines of communication for all Colorado students. As a result, Safe2Tell – Colorado's anonymous reporting systems – was established.
Since 2004, students have reported threats to themselves or others by calling 1.877.542.SAFE, thereby preventing upwards of 3,000 potentially violent events including:
- Removal of more than 200 weapons from school property
- 438 drug- or alcohol-related behaviors
- 103 planned fights
- 178 cases of sexual misconduct
- 657 direct threats
- 197 reports of child abuse and domestic violence
- 706 reports of bullying
- 272 suicide preventions
- and prevention of an astounding 28 planned school attacks.
Safe2Tell consistently emphasizes the need to take every threat seriously. The overwhelmingly positive response from students – and requests for expanded services, such as text messaging capability – prove that young people do the right thing when they are provided the opportunity to do so.
The success of the Colorado effort is largely attributed to the unique multidisciplinary participation of the education community, state and local law enforcement, state and local community officials, community awareness groups, parent organizations, private foundations, local businesses and a host of dedicated individuals who believe in making it Safe2Tell for all Colorado youths. The Colorado Trust funded the startup and development of Safe2Tell over a six-year period (2003 to 2009).
Safe2Tell is regarded as a model for violence prevention nationwide and will soon expand to other states. For more information, contact Jo McGuire.
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