Wisconsin DOJ's Speak Up Speak Out tipline on a mobile phone, Sept. 13, 2022. PC: Fox 11 Online
MADISON, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) — A statewide school safety and threat reporting initiative connecting students and schools with support has received its 10,000th contact.
The Wisconsin Department of Justice (DOJ) Office of School Safety (OSS) announced Friday that Speak Up, Speak Out (SUSO) marked its 10,000th tip since the hotline was established on Sept. 1, 2020.
SUSO is a threat reporting tool which provides all Wisconsin students and school staff with free, accessible and confidential assistance 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
According to the DOJ, of the 10,000 tips SUSO has received, “many” required immediate intervention from school officials and/or law enforcement. Nearly 200 tips were concerns about planned school attacks, more than 200 involved reports of guns or other weapons and over 350 were suicide threats.
“Reaching this milestone shows how much trust and confidence students and educators have in SUSO,” said Attorney General Josh Kaul. “By extending this impactful program beyond the end of 2024, our legislators can help keep kids safe in Wisconsin schools.”
Officials said SUSO impacted each of Wisconsin’s 72 counties last year, “providing multiple services” in most of those cases. Although the tool is geared toward students and educators, parents and community members can also submit a tip regarding a school safety concern or threat.
The willingness of bystanders to come forward with concerns for the wellness and safety of themselves or others is a key component of student health and violence prevention efforts in schools. SUSO harnesses the power of bystanders, addresses concerns early, and provides opportunities for early intervention and harm prevention.
Tips can be submitted by visiting the SUSO website, calling (1-800-697-8761) or downloading the SUSO mobile phone app.
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