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‘Say Something’ reporting starts in Dunkirk

Last week, the Dunkirk City School District is officially launched the Say Something Anonymous Reporting System at its Secondary School.

“Student and faculty safety is paramount in Dunkirk,” said Superintendent Michael Mansfield. “The Say Something Anonymous Reporting System is a proactive approach to violence prevention that enables everyone to play a role.”

The Say Something Anonymous Reporting System is designed specifically for use by students in grades seven to 12 and includes a mobile app, website, and telephone hotline for users to submit tips 24/7/365 to the National Crisis Center for analysis and response. The Say Something Anonymous Reporting System is for any type of serious concerns about students who may be struggling or potentially violent. “Tipsters” can send reports on anything from school threats they’ve seen or overheard to personal crises including sexual harassment, self-harm, abuse, bullying, and depression.

Dunkirk’s “Say Something” response team has been training with the Say Something Anonymous Reporting System since the fall of this school year. Students are learning how to use the system during training in physical education classes this week and will be supported by school social workers, counselors, and administration.

“This program is the only anonymous system and National Crisis Center exclusively serving schools,” said Timothy Abbey, the district’s Chief Emergency Officer and Director of Facilities. “It is an exceptional tool to provide to school community members.”

When credible tips are received, the Crisis Center notifies the school-based representatives of those that are life-threatening and require immediate intervention. And, in cases of imminent threat, the Crisis Center contacts the local 911 dispatch and involves law enforcement. This enables school administrators and law enforcement to work together to effectively prevent shootings, suicide, bullying, self-harm and other forms of violence and victimization.

Critical to its proven success is the Say Something training that teaches youth and adults the warning signs of potential violence and self-harm. It is a youth violence prevention program from the national nonprofit organization Sandy Hook Promise (SHP), which provides the program and training at no cost to the district.

Students can submit a tip through www.saysomething.net directly or navigate from the district’s website. The free mobile app is available for download from the Apple App Store and Google Play. Students can also submit tips through the hotline by calling 1-844-5-SAYNOW.

As of January, more than 5,000 schools and school districts nationwide are participating in the Say Something Anonymous Reporting System, protecting more than two million students and educators.

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