SAFER SCHOOLS TIP LINE

SPEAK UP! By texting or calling the statewide hotline 844-SAFEROH to report anything that is suspicious or endangering you, your friends or your school.

The tip line is an anonymous reporting system that accepts both calls and text 24 hours a day. This tip line allows students and adults to anonymously share information with school officials and law enforcement about threats to student safety - whether that involves a threatened mass incident or harm to a single student.

Things to report to the tip line include (but are not limited to):

• Bullying incidents

• Withdrawn student behaviors

• Verbal or written threats observed towards students, faculty or schools

• Hazing

• Weapon/suspicious devices on or near school grounds

• Gang related activities

• Unusual/suspicious behavior or students or staff

• Self-harm or suicidal sentiments

• Any other school safety-related concerns

Governor Mike DeWine established the Ohio School Safety Center (OSSC) in August 2019 to support schools, first responders, and communities in preventing, preparing for, and responding to threats and acts of violence, including self-harm. One of the resources that the OSSC administers is the Safer Ohio School Tip Line.
 
Victimizations, bullying, and other disorders such as drug and alcohol use are often not reported directly to school authorities or event to parents and guardians. Oftentimes this is because students do not want to be identified, do not want a friend or classmate in trouble, or do not know how or where to report these threats.
 
The Safer Ohio School Tip Line helps bridge that gap and enables information to be shared by students to law enforcement and school officials, even outside of the school day.