Keeping school students and the community safe

Attorney General Josh Kaul is reminding schools, students and families, that the Wisconsin Department of Justice (DOJ) Office of School Safety (OSS), has a new resource for those in the school community who fear someone may harm themselves or others. Because of that, Oct. 18-24, is National Safe Schools Week.

“This week is a good time to remind students and their families, where they can connect with resources to keep themselves and others in their school community safe,” said Kaul.

The DOJ’s new, free 24/7 school safety tool is available to students who have safety concerns, including students who are considering harming themselves or who are afraid that another student might hurt themselves. Parents, teachers and others who are part of a school community, can also use the tipline.

Launched in early September, the SPEAK UP, SPEAK OUT (SUSO) Resource Center is a comprehensive, one-stop place to turn with important school safety concerns, including mental health. It offers a 24/7 threat reporting system, threat assessment consultation, critical incident response and general school safety guidance.

Since the launch, nearly 300 schools and school districts in Wisconsin, have trained to implement the resource center in their school community.

According to a survey of more than 1,000 principals nationwide that have a school safety tipline, 73 percent of principals said the tipline prevented incidents of self-harm or suicide.

Resource Center staff work around-the-clock to respond to tips and to deploy a response.