Courage2Report anonymous tips for school shootings, assaults and harassment continue to rise
COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)
Missouri State Highway Patrol's anonymous tip hotline Courage2Report has received more reports in 2022 than the previous three years.
MSHP's Courage2Report records showed the anonymous hotline has received 742 tips between Jan. 1- Oct. 26.
In 2021 there were 594 total tips received, 330 in 2020 and 430 in 2019.
Bullying continues to be the No. 1 issue reported on the hotline:
- 153 (Jan -Oct)
- 119 (2021)
- 84 (2020)
- 124 (2019)
Assault and physical harassment continues to grow as well:
- 96 (Jan -Oct)
- 93 (2021)
- 41 (2020)
- 88 (2019)
There has been a drastic increase in school-shooting threats so far in 2022:
- 60 (Jan -Oct)
- 27 (2021)
- 12 (2020)
- 29 (2019)
Courage2Report offers services statewide and is available for any parent, student, or faculty member. The hotline receives reports from pre-school through 12th grade, and answers reports for any incident that happens on school property, at a school event, on the school bus or on a student's way to and from school.
When a tip is made, the hotline operator will ask the caller to provide the name of the school, and if possible, the names, grades, and/or location of the people involved. Information regarding the target, victim, or witness. The caller's identity will remain anonymous.
After gathering the information needed, it will be sent to local school officials and law enforcement. Courage2report follow up each report within seven days from the initial call.
The Missouri School Violence Hotline started in 2001. In 2019, the hotline changed its name to Courage2ReportMO. Reports also started going through the Missouri Information Analysis Center, according to MSHP.
According to the website, people can use the hotline to report a variety of different threats. This includes any threat to life that happens on school property or on the school bus.
The hotline's number is 1-866-748-7047.
