SUSO Receives 1,000 Tips in Three Months, Reminds Public of Importance of Tip Line Ahead of Holiday Break

MADISON, Wis. – The Wisconsin Department of Justice (DOJ) Office of School Safety (OSS) has received more than 1,000 tips to the Speak Up, Speak Out (SUSO) tip line between September 1, 2022, and December 1, 2022. SUSO is a statewide confidential reporting system designed to be a safe place for students, school staff, and community members to share information concerning potential school violence.

“SUSO is helping to keep students safe in schools around the state,” said Attorney General Josh Kaul. “Thank you to the analysts who ensure that SUSO is available to help 24/7, and thank you to those who’ve used SUSO to report concerns.”

As schools take breaks this holiday season it’s important to remind students that SUSO is available 24/7. School holidays can be stressful for some children – they may experience boredom, isolation, inactivity and limited access to naturally occurring social support from peers and mentors, including school based trusted adults. SUSO is available anytime day or night to address concerns effectively and efficiently.

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)

Learn more about the SPEAK UP, SPEAK OUT Resource Center here.

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 will end in December of 2023. DOJ has requested the legislature permanently fund OSS in the next biennial budget.

View the press release here.

NOTE: This press release was submitted to Urban Milwaukee and was not written by an Urban Milwaukee writer. It has not been verified for its accuracy or completeness.