STOPit!: Report threats and bullying anonymously

What is STOP!t?

Rutherford County Schools uses STOPit, an online and app-based system, to empower students, parents, teachers and others to anonymously report anything of concern to school officials - from cyber-bullying to threats of violence or self-harm.

STOPit does more than just help schools address incidents and mitigate risk. STOPit will also help us go beyond reacting to bullying and inappropriate behavior, and instead start deterring it. As young people continue to engage more with technology every day, RCS believes the adoption of STOPit is an important step in the continued effort to provide a positive school climate and a safe learning environment for students.

With STOPit, users can submit anonymous reports containing text, photos, or video. Administrators are then able to manage incidents in a backend management system called DOCUMENTit. DOCUMENTit provides efficient and powerful investigative tools to staff, including the ability to message with the reporter, which will allow RCS to address issues instantly.

To access STOPit and make a report:

Web-based reporting via the STOPit website for each campus is available now. To make a report, visit school's webpage and follow the link for STOPit.
Rutherford County Schools has an app version of STOPit. Users can download the app from the Apple App Store or Google Play and use corresponding access code for the Rutherford County Schools.

Please keep in mind, STOPit is not an emergency response service. If you believe your call requires immediate police, fire or paramedic response, call 9-1-1. STOPit does not provide counseling or clinical advice. If you feel you need this type of attention, please seek the assistance of a qualified clinical or medical professional.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is STOPit really anonymous?
What information does STOPit obtain when using the app?
How does the STOPit mobile app work?
What types of behavior or activity is supposed to be reported with STOPit?
What happens after a STOPit report is made?
What student information does the school or user need to provide to STOPit?
What information do you collect or share about my child, and what are my rights as a parent?
Who receives the reports my child submits via STOPit?
Can STOPit be used by children under the age of 13?
Can parents, teachers and/or community members use the STOPit app to report incidents?
I have additional questions about STOPit. Who can I contact?

Is STOPit really anonymous?

STOPit is truly anonymous. The school has no ability to identify the submitter of a report or message. At their discretion, an end user may choose to voluntarily provide identifying information in the content of their report or message. Please see our Privacy Policy – Making Reports with STOPit & How “Anonymous” Reporting Works for details.

What information does STOPit obtain when using the app?

STOPit may automatically collect certain information from a user of the STOPit app, such as IP address; details about the browser, operating system and/or device/hardware; general location, if available; your activities when using our app; and other logging information, including the date and time of your use of the STOPit app. Please read our Privacy Policy.

How does the STOPit mobile app work?

Once the STOPit mobile app is downloaded to the student’s phone, it provides them with several powerful features. The Report feature can be used to anonymously submit an incident report consisting of an image, video, and/or text to school contacts who can respond to the incident and get help to the student in need. The STOPit mobile app also allows for anonymous two-way communication between students and school administrators with STOPit Messenger.

What types of behavior or activity is supposed to be reported with STOPit?

STOPit is an entirely configurable experience and each district and school makes the decision about what types of reports they are asking the students to submit. STOPit has been used as a school safety solution as well as a powerful reporting tool for issues including bullying, hazing, violence, weapons possession, sexual harassment, discrimination, inappropriate on-line behavior, or threats.

What happens after a STOPit report is made?

After a report is made in STOPit, the following steps are taken:

The Principal or AP will contact the parents of students involved to inform them of this report, and begin the investigative process. During this process, the AP will interview all students involved in the incident.
When necessary, interim steps will be taken to ensure safety of the targeted student while the investigation is taking place.
The student who was targeted is encouraged to report any retaliation or continued mistreatment now or in the future to the AP, his/her parents, and/or the police (when necessary) immediately.
After the investigation is complete and a plan of action has been determined, the AP will contact the students and parents involved in the report to address the findings.
Appropriate consequences will be given to the student committing the bullying behavior. (Note: administration is not allowed to share consequences with the parents of the targeted student.)
The targeted student will be offered strategies on dealing with bullying.
In order to provide extra support, administration will inform the counselor of the incident.
Staff members will be involved on a need-to-know-basis.

What student information does the school or user need to provide to STOPit?

None! STOPit does not require any end user information whatsoever. Your child will authenticate using an Access Code, which is the same code as their peers, so they all remain anonymous.Information provided by STOPit app users is also kept private and secure. Please read our Privacy Policy. To learn more about the commitment to keeping data provided by students safe, learn more about the Student Privacy Pledge, to which STOPit is a signatory.

What information do you collect or share about my child, and what are my rights as a parent?

RCS only discloses your child’s information to third parties which are required as part of the services that STOPit provides, and as described in our Children’s Privacy Policy. To learn more about our commitment to keeping data provided by students safe, learn more about the Student Privacy Pledge, to which STOPit is a signatory. As a parent, you have the right to review the personal information that we collect from your child who is under the age of 13. You may also request that RCS delete this information and refuse to allow any further collection or use of your child’s information. If you would like to exercise any of these rights, or have any questions regarding your child’s use of STOPit, RCS urges you to first contact officials at your child’s school, which has provided them with access to STOPit, and RCS may direct you to them. You may also contact RCS, using the contact information below. RCS may ask you to provide additional details, including verification of your parental status, to protect your child’s privacy. Please read our Children's Privacy Policy.

Who receives the reports my child submits via STOPit?

Reports and Messenger messages will be received by the contacts designated by the school and district administrators.

Can STOPit be used by children under the age of 13?

The STOPit app (and its browser-based version) may be used by children under the age of 13. We urge parents to contact the school's administration to learn more about how the school uses STOPit and the data we provide them.

Can parents, teachers and/or community members use the STOPit app to report incidents?

STOPit is an anonymous reporting app to be used by students. Parents and teachers are asked to make reports and discuss concerns with school site administration. Community members with concerns should contact the district office at 615-893-5812.

I have additional questions about STOPit. Who can I contact?

For more information about Rutherford County Schools' implementation of STOPit, contact RCS Safety Director Patty Oeser at [email protected] or 615-893-5812.