Missouri's School Violence Hotline

 Guest post by submitted by Jennifer Hunter, Missouri School Violence Hotline Supervisor

In the transitioning months of April and May, rumors and threats of school violence seem to spring up more often increasing the Missouri School Violence Hotline’s call volume. When students are faced with threats of school violence, their silence can have tragic consequences. Having an anonymous hotline to report threats and violence takes the guesswork out of “Should I or Shouldn’t I tell?” Classmates can come forward with life-saving information that they may have otherwise kept to themselves.

 

School violence information can now be reported on-line using the Report It! form found on the program’s website. Schools will also find an order form on the website for free pencils, magnets, posters, and wallet cards to hand out to their students. To further promote the hotline service, school staff may download the website graphics for use in their own school handbooks, calendars, or their school’s website. Students may also join the MSVH Facebook fan page to stay connected.

The hotline’s on-line form is available 24/7 or students may call the toll-free number at 1-866-748-7047 to speak to a live, helpful dispatcher Monday through Friday from 7am to 6pm with a voicemail system for after-hour calls. Every report is passed on to the local school administrators and local law enforcement. Parents, school staff, and concerned citizens are also welcome to use the hotline resources to make reports. Reports are taken on:

 

• Assaults

• Bullying

• Cyber-harassment

• Explosives

• Gangs

• Property destruction

• Sexting

• Sexual assaults or misconduct

• Suicidal threats (including self-harming actions like choking and cutting)

• Thefts

• Threats

• Other acts violent in nature

  For more information contact: Jennifer Hunter, SVH Supervisor, Department of Social Services-Children's Division, PO BOX 88, Jefferson City, MO (573) 522-9802.

 

FCCLA Chapters - The Missouri School Violence Hotline is a great resource for STOP the Violence projects.  Be sure to connect with them as your chapter plans activities to recognize, report, and reduce youth violence.