“Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter.”

- Martin Luther King, Jr.

• “Stop it Before it Happens”

• Attorney General’s Pro-Active Involvement

• Center for the Study and Prevention of Violence

• Safe Communities ~ Safe Schools

• The Colorado Trust Grant

• The CO Dept. of Public Safety & CO State Patrol

• Continuing Partnerships

Historical Overview

Why We Are Making it Safe2Tell …Why We Are Making it Safe2Tell …

April 20, 199914 Dead

23 Wounded

Secret Service Safe School Secret Service Safe School Initiative Threat Assessment Initiative Threat Assessment

Study:Study: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.“As part of its protective responsibilities, the United States Secret Service has long held the view that the best protective strategy is prevention.”

– www.secretservice.gov

“As part of its protective responsibilities, the United States Secret Service has long held the view that the best protective strategy is prevention.”

– www.secretservice.gov

How Safe2Tell Works

• Students, parents or teachers call 1-877-542-SAFE

• Calls answered 24/7 at Colorado State Patrol Communications

Center

• Anonymity preserved by state law and operational safeguards

• Reports are forwarded to schools, law enforcement or both

• All valid reports are investigated

• Outcome responses tracked by Safe2Tell

“We would not have known about this

incident without the information we received

from Safe2Tell.”- School Counselor

How We Are Making it Safe2Tell

Information Sharing is

Required by CO State Law

Accountability& Follow-Up

PreventionEarly

Intervention

Awareness

Education & Training

SchoolsParents

Law Community

Benefits of Safe2TellBenefits of Safe2Tell

• Reduces Liability

• Serves as a Deterrent

• Not “If” – but “When”

• Preparedness & Planning

• Evidence Based Programs

Cyber Bullying Escalates …..Cyber Bullying Escalates …..Girls Record Brutal Attack On Teen To Allegedly Post On “YouTube”

Once you send something out

on the internet, you can never get it back

Once you send something out

on the internet, you can never get it back

INTERNET SAFETYINTERNET SAFETY

Chat Rooms Text Message Chats Personal Web Pages Cell Phone Pics & Videos on You Tube Digital Devices are Instant Media Exposure

Success Story: Success Story: A forty-one year old sex offender is arrested when A forty-one year old sex offender is arrested when an anonymous report reveals he is posing as a 14 an anonymous report reveals he is posing as a 14 year old girl on the internet and arranging to meet year old girl on the internet and arranging to meet young girls through poetry writing web-sites and young girls through poetry writing web-sites and on-line chatson-line chats

“Silence doesn’t save lives … breaking the code of

silence just might.”

Youth Suicide StatisticsYouth Suicide Statistics

• Nationally, suicide is the 2nd leading cause of death among college students and the 3rd leading cause of death among all youth 15–24 years old.

• In Colorado, suicide is the 2nd leading cause of death among youth ages 10-24.

• In the U.S., 20 % of high school students report having seriously considered suicide during the previous 12 months.

• Four out of five teens who attempt suicide have given clear warnings.

SUICIDE WARNING SIGNS• Abrupt changes in personality

• Giving away possessions

• Previous suicide attempt

• Use of drugs and/or alcohol

• Change in eating patterns

• Change in sleeping patterns

• Unwillingness or inability to communicate

• Depression

• Extreme or extended boredom

• Accident prone (carelessness)

• Unusual sadness, discouragement &

loneliness

• Talk of wanting to die

• Neglect of academic work or personal

appearance

• Family disruptions - divorce, trauma, losing

loved one

• Running away from home or truancy from

school

• Rebelliousness - reckless behavior

• Withdrawal from people/activities they love

• Confusion - Inability to concentrate

• Chronic Pain, Panic or Anxiety

• Perfectionism

• Restlessness

Success Story: Success Story: A concerned caller reports that her friend is absent A concerned caller reports that her friend is absent from school after making threats to take her own from school after making threats to take her own life in text messages. Shortly afterward the 15 life in text messages. Shortly afterward the 15 year old student receives life-saving medical year old student receives life-saving medical attention after being found over-dosed in her attention after being found over-dosed in her bedroom.bedroom.

“It is wonderful to know that Safe2Tell really works.”

- School Principal

Safe2Tell Statistic:

97 Suicides Prevented

““It is only the betrayal of a friend NOT to tell It is only the betrayal of a friend NOT to tell

when someone needs help”when someone needs help”

Attackers make plans

Attackers talk about their plans

There is no consistent, reliable profile

Attackers have easy access to guns

School staff are often the first responders

Attackers are often encouraged by others

Bullying is often a factor

Warning signs of problem behaviors are common

Shooters are frequently suicidal

“Threats in school

should be treated like

the word “bomb” in an

airport: take every

threat seriously.”

Shooter Shooter Warning Warning

SignsSigns

Tragedy in Bailey, Colorado

Emily Keyes1990-2006

Platte Canyon High School

September 27, 2006

April 16th, 2007Blacksburg, VA

32 Lives Lost25 Wounded

Threat AssessmentThreat Assessment

• A vortex for Sharing Information• Interagency Social Support Team• Safe School Planning

• Environmental Design• Drills• Staff Training

• Identifying Behaviors Inside & Outside of School

Secret Service By-Stander Secret Service By-Stander StudyStudy

“Schools are encouraged to develop policies that address the many aspects of reporting a threat”

1. Schools should ensure a climate in which students feel comfortable sharing

information they have regarding a potentially threatening situation with a responsible

adult.

2. School districts are encouraged to develop policies that address the many aspects of

reporting a threat.

3. Teachers, administrators, and other faculty should be trained on how to properly

respond to students who provide them with information about a threatening or

disturbing situation, as well as how to deal with actual threats.

Success Story: Success Story: A planned school attack is prevented, weapons A planned school attack is prevented, weapons recovered and an arrest made when an recovered and an arrest made when an anonymous report reveals threats made on anonymous report reveals threats made on MySpace.com MySpace.com

Safe2Tell reports have resulted in 28 prevented planned school attacks

What the Research Says About What the Research Says About Safe Schools & Academic Safe Schools & Academic

PerformancePerformanceLesser Rates of Dropout

Higher Test Scores

Greater Gains in Academic Performance over timeCSPV 2006 (Controlling for grade in school, race, ethnic composition, % subsidized meals, average parent

education, % ESL students)

“Early intervention is critical in the life of a child who is exhibiting behaviors identified as precursors to violence. Safe2Tell provides a tool to intervene in a proactive way”

Dr. Delbert Elliott, Director of the Center for the Study and Prevention of Violence

“Early intervention is critical in the life of a child who is exhibiting behaviors identified as precursors to violence. Safe2Tell provides a tool to intervene in a proactive way”

Dr. Delbert Elliott, Director of the Center for the Study and Prevention of Violence

Safe2Tell Legislation

Safe2Tell ANONYMITY

Senate Bill One

Safe School Resource Center

NIMS Compliance

School Mapping

Please Contact For More Information

info@safe2tell.org

www.safe2tell.org

719.520.7435