Sandy Hook Promise’s signature Know the Signs violence prevention programs are based on critical analysis of every major mass attack and school shooting. Research and development are foundational to our mission-based programs and policy initiatives. Studies reveal that key warning signs often precede violence and assert that gun violence is preventable. Recognizing the signs and getting help is essential to violence prevention. Comprehensive research continues to mount and sustain a conclusion: Our programs work.
Our mission to end the gun violence epidemic in this country is rooted in a public health approach to policy and community-based programs. 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 continued this pillar to our work. It published “The Effectiveness of the Say Something Anonymous Reporting System in Preventing School Violence: A Cluster Randomized Control Trial in 19 Middle Schools.”
Examining over 700 students in Miami-Dade County Public Schools over nine months, researchers found that SS-ARS 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.
Sandy Hook Promise is 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. We work with experts in the fields of K-12 education, school safety, child psychology, and threat assessment to continually update and refine our no-cost 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.
Completed in 2019, The Effectiveness of the Say Something Anonymous Reporting System in Preventing School Violence, undertook a cluster randomized control trial in 19 middle schools within the Miami-Dade County Public Schools District.
The study confirmed that youth are well-positioned to identify and report at-risk students and precursor behaviors such as social isolation, bullying, absenteeism, substance use, and mental duress before violence can occur. But some violence prevention programs in schools — like zero-tolerance policies and increasing security and monitoring systems — may have the unintended effect of reinforcing the “code of silence” among students.
This University of Michigan research shows that anonymous reporting systems (ARS), when paired with proper training, have the potential to improve school safety by removing the fear of retaliation and lack of skills and confidence to intervene. This comprehensive approach facilitates reporting and improves school climate.
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:
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.
