Office of School Safety Releases 2022-2023 Annual Speak Up, Speak Out Report

MADISON, Wis. – The Wisconsin Department of Justice Office of School Safety (OSS) today released the 2022-2023 Annual Report for Speak Up, Speak Out (SUSO). SUSO is more than a free statewide threat reporting tipline available to all Wisconsin schools. It is the hub that connects all OSS initiatives and the entry point where schools can access comprehensive services offered by OSS as well as local, state, and national partners.

“Speak Up, Speak Out resource center analysts are having a positive impact on school safety in Wisconsin,” said Attorney General Josh Kaul. “Thank you to the members of our outstanding team in the Office of School Safety for their work helping to keep students in Wisconsin safe.”

Since its inception on September 1, 2020, the SUSO tip line has received more than 7,500 tips. 3,754 tips were received during the 2022-2023 school year, which is 95% more tips than the previous year. SUSO’s tip volume has grown 136% in the three years since its launch. The willingness of bystanders to come forward with concerns for the wellness and safety of themselves or others is a key component of student health and violence prevention efforts in schools. Bullying and vaping were the top two most reported tips to SUSO during the 2022-2023 school year.

OSS and SUSO have impacted every one of Wisconsin’s 72 counties this year, in most cases providing multiple services. Counties have either used the SUSO tipline, received general school safety guidance, had participants in OSS training events and presentations, or received an OSS grant. 60 of Wisconsin’s 72 counties received at least one tip from SUSO during the 2022-2023 school year. Between September of 2022 and September of 2023, OSS staff provided trainings and presentations to stakeholders in 60 of Wisconsin’s 72 counties.

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.

SUSO Reports can be made 24 hours a day, 7 days a week:

• Online at widoj.gov
• 1-800-MY-SUSO-1 (1-800-697-8761)
• Mobile app (iOS/Android)

About the Office of School Safety

OSS was initially supported by more than $2 million in federal grant funding from the U.S. Department of Justice Bureau of Justice Assistance. OSS is currently supported by more than $1.8 million in American Rescue Plan Act funding which were expected to end in December of 2023. Wisconsin DOJ requested the legislature permanently fund OSS in the recent biennial budget, but the request went unfilled. After Wisconsin DOJ’s request went unfilled by the legislature, Wisconsin DOJ re-allocated $1,340,000 in American Rescue Plan Act funds to extend the operations of OSS including the Speak Up, Speak Out 24-hour tipline, critical incident response teams, and threat assessment consultation. The re-allocated money will fund OSS through the end of 2024.

View this press release on the Wisconsin DOJ website here.

NOTE: This press release was submitted to Urban Milwaukee and was not written by an Urban Milwaukee writer. While it is believed to be reliable, Urban Milwaukee does not guarantee its accuracy or completeness.