Wisconsin Attorney General Announces SPEAK UP, SPEAK OUT Resource Center for School Safety
Thursday, September 3rd, 2020 -- 9:02 AM
-Attorney General Josh Kaul announced that the Wisconsin Department of Justice Office of School Safety is launching the SPEAK UP, SPEAK OUT Resource Center, a comprehensive, one-stop place to turn with important school safety concerns.It offers a 24/7 threat reporting system, threat assessment consultation, critical incident response, and general school safety guidance. “This new, free 24/7 school safety tool is available to support school communities across the state in preventing school violence. Whether students are concerned for their own safety or the safety of others, Speak Up, Speak Out can assist them in getting the help they need,” said Attorney General Kaul. “Our schools have been one of the safest places for our children, and I want that to always be the case,” State Superintendent Carolyn Stanford Taylor said. “As we start the new school year, whether it be in-person, virtual, or hybrid learning, the Speak Up Speak Out tip line will be a valuable resource for students with school safety concerns when they may not have as much one-to-one access to trusted adults.” Students, parents, school staff, or any community members can submit a school safety concern or threat via the SUSO website, mobile phone application, or toll-free number.
Resource Center staff work around-the-clock to respond to tips and to deploy a response locally by communicating directly with school administrators, law enforcement, and counselors. Nationwide, more than half of public middle and high schools now operate similar safety tiplines. The analysts in the SUSO resource center will also be able to deploy critical incident response teams if a school is experiencing a critical incident; provide a threat assessment consultation for school staff and law enforcement; or provide general school safety guidance including training, safety planning, and other topics.
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