Senator Martin Applauds Strong Results of New School Threat Reporting System

HARRISBURG – An anonymous school threat reporting system that was implemented in January has led to more than 23,000 tips related to potential threats to student safety, according to Senator Scott Martin (R-13).

The Office of the Attorney General issued a report this week detailing the results of the first six months of the Safe2Say Something program, which was created by lawmakers last year. The complete report is available here.

From January through the end of June, the system helped identify 607 threats against schools and 523 threats against individuals. Thousands of cases of bullying, self-harm, suicide, depression and drug use were also identified.

Martin was one of the prime sponsors of the bill that created the Safe2Say Something system last year.

“The early results show that students, school personnel and members of the community are taking school threats seriously and using this important system as it was intended. That is the first step toward protecting young people against potential risks to their safety,” Martin said. “I am hopeful that students and other state residents will continue to embrace this system to promote safer schools throughout the state.”

The program’s website, app and 24/7 crisis line were developed in partnership with Sandy Hook Promise, an advocacy group devoted to improving school safety throughout the country.

The breakdown for tips reported from Jan. 14 – June 30 is as follows:

Event types  Total
Bullying/Cyber Bullying 3558
Cutting/Self-Harm 2529
Suicide/Suicide Ideation 2184
Depression/Anxiety 2121
Drug Use/Distribution/Possession 1921
Smoking (Tobacco, E-Cig, Vape) in School 1448
Inappropriate Language/Behavior/Gesture 949
Threat Against School 607
General Harassment 574
Threat Against person 523

 

CONTACT:   Terry Trego (717) 787-6535

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