Published: 11/12/2019 4:42:51 PM
In addition to black boxes that were installed to accept anonymous tips at Concord High School last month, members of the Concord School District community may now submit tips online about issues related to sexual assault and harassment, substance abuse, threats, weapons or suicide.
The SchoolMessenger Quick Tip, which allows users to submit anonymous tips to school and district officials, is available on the district’s website and will be checked by administrators daily.
The tipping form can be found in the right hand side of the district’s homepage under a link that says “See Something, Say Something.”
The portal asks users to select one of three location options – Concord High School, Rundlett Middle School and the District – and a topic. The available topics are Drugs/Alcohol/Vaping, Threats, Violence/Assault, Weapons, Suicide, Sexual Assualt/Harassment and Other.
The reporting option for Sexual Assault/Harassment includes a phone number for DCYF (800-894-5533). The option for Suicide includes the national suicide prevention hotline (1-800-293-8255) and text hotline (74174).
The online portal is one a string of initiatives being launched in the district to improve the culture around reporting and talking about sexual assault, harassment and abuse following the arrest of a teacher at the Concord High School last year on charges of raping a former Concord student.
Black tip boxes with a paper form similar to the online forms were installed in four locations at Concord High in early October. Administrators introduced the boxes, which can be used for anonymous reporting, to students in a video to the school community where they went over the school’s new policy on reporting.
There were plans to also install the boxes at Rundlett Middle School.
Jim Corkum, an assistant principal at Concord High School, said during an interview with the Monitor in October that the videos, online portal and tip boxes were just a first step.
“We want to make sure students feel like they have a comfortable place to go to ask for help,” Corkum said. “Especially if they feel nervous to, aren’t ready to or don’t want to come talk to one of us.”
On the online reporting form, there is a space available to add a description or photo to provide administrators detailed information about the concern. Users can provide their contact information if they choose to, but that is optional.