Safe2Say Something
The Safe2Say Something program, which is mandated under by Act 44 of 2018, teaches students how to recognize warning signs and signals, especially within social media, of individuals who may be a threat to themselves or others and say something to a trusted adult, like a parent or teacher.
If students are not comfortable talking to an adult, they can use the program’s anonymous reporting system which includes a toll-free number, a website and a mobile app.
Specifically, the program educates and empowers students to:
- Recognize the signs and signals of at-risk behaviors – especially within social media;
- Take every sign and signal seriously; act quickly to get help by talking to a trusted adult;
- Report it anonymously through calling the Safe2Say Something 24/7 Crisis Center, or using the mobile app or website;
- Provide more information as needed should the Safe2Say Something team request it.
Students often are aware of the problems their peers are facing, so the theory is that the Safe2Say Something program will empower them to know the danger signs and give them the tools to help each other by contacting trained and caring adults. Since students spend a great deal of time on social media, it is critical that they are taught to look out for one another as these digital conversations are taking place. Safe2Say Something teaches them what to look for in text, video and photos while empowering them to act quickly to help a fellow student by contacting an adult.
If they're not comfortable contacting an adult, for any reason, the key component of the Safe2Say Something program is its anonymous reporting system. Once a report is received through the Safe2Say Something reporting system, it is reviewed by a crisis center analyst, categorized as either life safety or non-life safety, and sent to law enforcement (as needed) and school officials via text, email, and/or phone call. School officials and law enforcement (when appropriate) will intervene and provide an appropriate response.
All Lower Dauphin High School and Lower Dauphin Middle School students are trained about the Safe2Say Something program. During that training, it was stressed that the Safe2Say Something program is another tool for them to use, but that the best tool is immediately reporting concerns to an adult. We also explained to students that discussing concerns on social media either before or after reporting their concerns to an adult may make it more difficult for the school administration or law enforcement to identify a threat.
The Safe2Say Something program was put in place so students would be able to reach an adult 24/7/365 and is a resource that students should use rather than sending or sharing information about threats with each other over social media. This reporting platform is not intended to be, or serve as, an emergency hotline or email for situations of imminent danger. If students need immediate assistance and/or are reporting an emergency or event that could immediately affect the safety of a student or the school community, they should still dial 911.
Tips can be submitted by calling the tipline at 1-844-SAF2SAY, using the website www.safe2saypa.org, or using the mobile app available for Apple and Android devices.
Attached is the Safe2Say Something brochure provided by the Office of Attorney General.
We have also attached directions for using the App, Website and Tipline provided by Safe2Say Something.