Sandy Hook Promise’s signature Know the Signs violence prevention programs are based on critical analysis of every major mass attack and school shooting. These comprehensive studies reveal that key warning signs precede violence and that recognizing the signs is essential to violence prevention. Further academic research proves that teaching these signs and when and how to get help effectively saves lives.
Sandy Hook Promise (SHP) is the only national organization to take a holistic, public health approach to ending the gun violence epidemic: a combination of community-based programs, research, and policy. Our leaders are at the forefront of school safety, guiding and supporting the work of the National Center for School Safety. Read our white paper, “Protecting America’s Youth from Gun Violence,” authored by Sandy Hook Promise Research Director Dr. Rachel Masi, PhD.
Anonymous reporting systems (ARS) are associated with fewer school-based violent behaviors and have the strongest effect compared to any other type of prevention strategy. In August of 2022, the Journal of School Violence published “The Effectiveness of the Say Something Anonymous Reporting System in Preventing School Violence: A Cluster Randomized Control Trial in 19 Middle Schools,” proving our approach to training and providing safe, easy ways to get help works.
Examining over 700 students in Miami-Dade County Public Schools over nine months, researchers found that the Say Something Anonymous Reporting System “improved the likelihood of self-efficacy and intention to report threats of violence.” The study also found that interventions also promoted a “safer perception of school safety” with less school violence.
As the only organization dedicated to teaching school communities how to spot these warning signs of violence and when and how to speak up to get help, SHP works with experts in the fields of K-12 education, school safety, child psychology, and threat assessment to continually update and refine our programs.
The respected researchers at the University of Michigan’s School of Public Health evaluate our programs. These studies show that our programs are effective.
Key findings include: Training students to recognize warning signs, take them seriously, and get help combined with an anonymous reporting system effectively improves students’ competency, confidence, and intentionality in reporting warning signs.
Short-term outcomes show: An increased willingness to speak up, better attitudes about school, stronger relationships between students and teachers. These results are tied to longer-term outcomes, including improved school culture and fewer violent acts, overall.
Between January and June 2017, the University of Michigan Youth Violence Prevention Center conducted a case control test within a large urban school district to evaluate Start With Hello (SWH) and Say Something (SS): the cornerstone Know the Signs programs.
These programs were positively received by the teachers and administrators, who indicated strong interest in expanding student, parent, and community engagement. The University of Michigan concluded that this evaluation provides promising evidence that the Know the Signs programs are effective. Part II is now in progress with support from the National Collaborative on Gun Violence Research.
The National Collaborative on Gun Violence Research has invested in a major study, Evaluating the Effectiveness of the Know the Signs Programs in the Los Angeles Unified School District.
This three-year study will provide a rigorous evaluation of school-based interventions that aim to decrease violence and promote safety via early detection of signs of potential violent or self-harm behavior, building inclusivity and respect among students and staff, and encouraging a culture of safety.
Our proven Know the Signs programs teach youth and adults how to prevent violence, shootings, and other harmful acts.
Committed to driving change to protect children, measuring our effectiveness to learn and celebrate our shared success.
Through our sister organization, Sandy Hook Promise Action Fund, you can help change policy to enact common sense reforms.
