Safe2Tell

Background Statement

After the shocking events of the Columbine High School shootings, Attorney General Ken Salazar and Governor Bill Owens convened a study to offer recommendations to prevent another school massacre. As a direct outcome of their report, the Safe2Tell initiative was created to implement one critical recommendation: to establish a hotline for students to report threats to themselves or to others anonymously.

Research shows that in 81% of violent incidents in U.S. schools, someone other than the attacker knew it was going to happen but failed to report it. According to the Columbine report, young people are reluctant to report threats due to a student culture that fosters and enforces a "code of silence".

The toll-free, statewide bystander reporting tipline is available 24 hours a day to accept calls whenever a Colorado youth or concerned adult perceives a threat to their safety or the safety of others. Calls to the tipline are answered at a Colorado State Patrol (CSP) communications center by Safe2Tell trained CSP communications officers. The answering point is live and provides an opportunity for a two way dialogue by trained experts to document as much information as possible. There is no caller ID or call tracing to ensure complete anonymity. Safe2Tell is also web-accessible and has the potential to accept information via IM and text messages through a two way encrypted dialogue to ensure anonymity. Additionally, protocols and procedures have been developed by Safe2Tell and put into practice in order to ensure anonymity is protected. When action is needed, information is immediately forwarded to local school officials and law enforcement agencies for the appropriate investigation to take place.

Safe2Tell goes the extra step with follow up to the school and law enforcement agencies which received the tip to ensure that it was investigated, that action was taken and that the outcome was tracked.

While the Safe2Tell tip line is an invaluable tool for preventing acts of violence, this initiative has proven to be much more than a phone number. With a focus on positive outcomes for youth, Safe2Tell has become a vital community resource for providing training, education and awareness that enhances the effectiveness of early intervention and prevention measures. As a result, trainings, assemblies, workshops and presentations are provided statewide to school staff, administrators, students, parents, law enforcement agencies and community groups.