“Our lives begin to end the day we become
silent about things that matter.”
- Martin Luther King, Jr.
Why We Are Making it Safe2Tell …
April 20, 1999
15 Dead
23 Wounded
Secret Service Safe School Initiative
Threat Assessment 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
How Safe2Tell Works
• Students call 1-877-542-SAFE or use safe2tell.org
•NO CALLER I.D.
•NO CALL TRACING OR RECORDING
•NO VOICEMAIL OR ANSWERING MACHINE
• 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
• Outcomes tracked by Safe2Tell
Safe2tell is a Colorado Law
•To protect the caller, no caller ID, no testimony
•Protects the caller from retaliation, isolation
•Serves as an open line of communication
•Allows for earlier intervention and prevention
•Fosters safe learning environment
•Saves investigative hours
•Serves as a deterrent
Students Know ….
 Who is stealing
 Who has drugs
 Who is carrying weapons
 Who is threatening suicide
 About fights and bullying
 About parties with alcohol and drugs
“Students have the best information of what is happening in their
schools and in their community. Safe2Tell provides a safe way for kids
to pass on this information to adults who can make a difference.”
Ken Salazar, United States Senator
Why We Don’t Tell ….
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Fear of retaliation
Fear of social isolation
Peer pressure to remain silent
Fear of being labeled a “snitch”
“Code of Silence” is the norm
Cyber Bullying
Lori Drew, left, is accused of taunting Megan Meier
(center) to the point where she committed suicide.
Megan's mother Tina, is pictured right.
(AP PHOTO)
Electronic messages that contain any nude,
semi-nude, erotic or suggestive material
“Delete or Report it.
Never Forward or Show it”
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
INTERNET SAFETY
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Chat Rooms
Text Message Chats
Personal Web Pages
Cell Phone Pics & Videos on You Tube
Digital Devices as Media Outlets
 Once you put it on the web .. you can never get it back.
 Stay SAFE: Only chat with people you know & confirm.
The Ryan Halligan Story
www.ryanpatrickhalligan.org
Youth 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., 15 % 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
• Neglect of academic work or personal
appearance
• Family disruptions - divorce, trauma, losing
loved one
• Running away from home or truancy from
school
• Unwillingness or inability to communicate
• Rebelliousness - reckless behavior
• Depression
• Withdrawal from people/activities they love
• Extreme or extended boredom
• Confusion - Inability to concentrate
• Accident prone (carelessness)
• Chronic Pain, Panic or Anxiety
• Unusual sadness, discouragement &
• Perfectionism
loneliness
• Talk of wanting to die
• Restlessness
Safe2Tell Statistic:
170 Suicides Prevented
“It is only the betrayal of a friend NOT to tell
when someone needs help”
 Attackers make plans
Shooter
Warning
Signs
 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.”
Secret Service By-Stander Study
“Some bystanders disbelieved that the attacks
would occur and thus did not report them.”
A number of bystanders reported not disclosing information related to the threat to a
responsible adult because they did not believe the event would ever occur.
•The student made the threat or voiced the plan repeatedly and over a long period of time,
had been engaged in what might be considered attention-seeking behaviors, and had made
peculiar comments.
•The described threat seemed unbelievable because it was so extreme. In one case, a
bystander who had overheard some of the conspirators discussing their plans in great detail
“didn’t think anything of it . . . [didn’t] think they would really do it” and therefore the
bystander did not tell anyone.
Secret Service By-Stander Study
“Some bystanders disbelieved that the attacks
would occur and thus did not report them.”
•The student’s tone when making the threat did not seem serious or it was thought he was
joking. For instance, bystanders made comments such as “he kept eating his pizza while
discussing the event” and “he’d say it violently but then laugh about it.”
•The threats or statements were overt, repetitive, and/or clearly overheard by school
personnel. This led the students to mistakenly believe that the threateners (and therefore
the threats) were not serious.
Bystanders often misjudged the likelihood and immediacy of the planned attack.
•Bystanders reported that often they did not come forward with information related to the
potential attack because they felt they had more time to decide on an appropriate action.
Telling is NOT Snitching
“Silence doesn’t save a life …
breaking the code of silence just might”
TELL
SOMEONE
Dating Violence & Stalking
Colorado Springs Gazette
November 2007
“Michael didn't know the girl in his car. He was just helping out a
friend who didn't have a car.
Less than half an hour after picking up Tiffany at Doherty High
School, Fisher was dead, shot by her ex-boyfriend.”
Wasson/Doherty Tragedy
2007
2 Dead, 2 Injured
Risk Behaviors
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Car Surfing
Huffing
“Pharming”
Choking Game
Cutting
Fight Clubs
Street Racing
Find Your Power Within
Make Decisions & Choices
From the Inside/Out
What the Research Says
About Safe Schools,
Health and Academic
Performance
When students feel safe at school:
– They have better physical health
– They are less likely to drop-out of school
– They have higher test scores
– They have better overall grade point
averages
CSPV 2006 (Controlling for grade in school, race, ethnic composition, % subsidized meals,
average parent education, % ESL students)
How YOU Can Make a Difference:
 Raise awareness by telling other students
 Educate your family about Safe2Tell
 Add 877-542-SAFE to your cell phone
 Link safe2tell.org to your web page or blog
 When a dangerous or threatening situation
arises … MAKE THE CALL
Please Contact For More Information
info@safe2tell.org
www.safe2tell.org
719.520.7435