DENVER — Students are already using Safe2Tell more this year in comparison to last year.
Data released by the Colorado Attorney General shows a 35% increase in reports from September 2022 to September 2023. To date, the service that allows students to share anonymous tips and safety concerns has received 4,190 reports for the 2023-2024 school year.
The program received 2,722 reports in the first month of the year alone, which is an 85% increase over August reports. The increased number reflects the start of the new year.
"We've expanded our team. We put on more training sessions. We did an unbelievable effort to communicate in a back to school way about Safe2Tell. Every four years the population in high school turns over, which means we have to constantly communicate," said Colorado Attorney General Phil Weiser, who attributes the increase to expanded outreach efforts.
During the month of September, bullying (305 reports) was the number one concern shared with Safe2Tell with school complaints (245) and suicide threats (233) following.
"Historically that number one threat has been suicide. I'm not sure yet what to make of this difference with bullying as number one," said Weiser. "Unfortunately kids who are bullied are often some of the same kids who are thinking about taking their life. So whether it's being bullied or thinking about suicide, it is a call for help. And it's a real concern for me as a parent and for me as the attorney general."
The resource was developed after the mass shooting at Columbine High School. Since then, it has become a widely used resource for students.
"The sad and painful reality for me as a parent, for what I see as Attorney General is it's harder to be a young person than ever before. The youth mental health challenges and the environment we're living in is really hard. We need to be in this work together, helping one another, making sure we're connecting, particularly with those who are vulnerable, Safe2Tell is a critical tool tool that helps us do that work," said Weiser.
To make a report, students can call 1-877-542-7233. Reports also can be made at Safe2Tell.org, by texting S2TCO to 738477, or through the Safe2Tell mobile app.
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