The Speak Up, Speak Out (SUSO) tipline, an initiative of the Wisconsin Department of Justice Office of School Safety (OSS), has reached a significant milestone. Since its launch on September 1, 2020, the tipline has received its 10,000th contact. This marks a significant achievement for the program, which aims to provide students with immediate and confidential support for any safety concerns they may have.
Attorney General Josh Kaul expressed his appreciation for the trust and confidence that students and educators have placed in SUSO. He emphasized the importance of extending the program beyond 2024 to ensure the safety of students in Wisconsin schools.
The success of SUSO lies in its ability to harness the power of bystanders and address concerns at an early stage. By encouraging individuals to come forward with their worries for their own or others' well-being, the tipline creates opportunities for early intervention and harm prevention. The program has proven to be effective in preventing harm in Wisconsin schools, with many of the 10,000 contacts received requiring immediate action from school officials and local law enforcement.
The impact of SUSO extends beyond being a reporting tipline. It serves as the central hub for all OSS initiatives and acts as the entry point for schools to access comprehensive services offered by OSS, as well as local, state, and national partners.
The importance of anonymous tiplines in school safety efforts is not unique to Wisconsin. Twenty-three states, including Wisconsin, have implemented similar programs. A recent study published in the journal Pediatrics analyzed the effectiveness of North Carolina's tipline and found it to be successful in identifying high-risk situations involving firearms. This is crucial considering that firearms have become the leading cause of death among children and adolescents since 2020.
In 2023, OSS and SUSO made a significant impact on all 72 counties in Wisconsin by providing various services. These included using the SUSO tipline, receiving school safety guidance, attending OSS training events and presentations, or being awarded an OSS grant.
It is important for students, parents, school staff, and community members to know that they can easily report any school safety concerns or threats through SUSO. Reports can be made 24 hours a day, 7 days a week via the SUSO website, mobile phone application, or toll-free number.
The OSS, initially supported by federal grant funding of over $2 million from the U.S. Department of Justice Bureau of Justice Assistance, had requested permanent funding from the legislature in the recent biennial budget. Unfortunately, the request was not fulfilled. However, the OSS managed to secure $1,340,000 in funds from the American Rescue Plan Act to extend the operations of OSS, including the Speak Up, Speak Out 24-hour tipline, critical incident response teams, and threat assessment consultation. This reallocation of funds ensures that OSS can continue its valuable work until the end of 2024.
In conclusion, the Speak Up, Speak Out tipline has reached a significant milestone with its 10,000th contact. This achievement highlights the trust and confidence that students and educators have placed in the program. With its emphasis on early intervention and harm prevention, SUSO has proven to be an effective tool in ensuring the safety of Wisconsin schools. It is crucial that the program continues beyond 2024 to provide the necessary support for students and maintain a safe learning environment.