Anonymous Reporting App for Schools to Enhance Safety

Making institutions child safe

In 2017, the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse underscored significant failures in protecting our most vulnerable. The Commission found that many victims of abuse did not report their experiences due to fear, shame, or a lack of faith in the reporting process.

To address these issues, the Commission developed the Child Safe Standards to improve child safety across various institutions, including schools. It is now recommended that institutions:

• update their code of conduct, policies and response procedures to reflect the changing nature of online communications
• adopt effective complaint-handling procedures
• respond promptly and thoroughly to complaints
• encourage reporting, intervention and proactive responses from the community
• establish mechanisms for children, staff and families to make a confidential complaint, and
• respond appropriately to disclosures, allegations and suspicions of harm.

Anonymous reporting systems, such as Elker, align with the Child Safe Standards by providing a secure, easy-to-use and anonymous way for students, parents, and teachers to report concerns or incidents without fear of reprisal.

Barriers to reporting

Many incidents go unreported due to the following obstacles:

• Shame: Children may feel shame over the incident or feel too intimidated to report in person.
• Retaliation: Students and staff may fear retaliation or further victimisation from making a disclosure.
• Education: Lack of awareness about reporting processes or what constitutes reportable behaviour.
• Accessibility: Inaccessible reporting systems, especially for younger students, ESL students or students with disabilities.
• Accountability: A belief that the report won't be taken seriously or that the investigation process is not transparent.
• Generational understanding: Some students reported that some adults lacked the understanding of various apps and communication tools where cyberbullying and abuse were taking place.

Implementing a school reporting system

In recent years, anonymous reporting apps have become increasingly popular among schools, universities, and businesses to capture sensitive disclosures and protect students and staff.

Previously, reporting was done in person, via an anonymous email contact form, or telephone hotline. However, these methods often fail to protect the anonymity of reporters and don't give responders a way to follow up on cases. Modern technology has vastly improved, allowing organisations to now be proactive in detecting incidents and supporting the safety of those making reports.

Elker's anonymous reporting app is designed to address these barriers head-on, offering a user-friendly, secure, and customisable solution for schools. With features like end-to-end encryption, Elker ensures the anonymity of reporters, fostering trust in the system. The platform's intuitive interface makes it easy for students of all ages to report concerns, while customisable reporting pathways allow schools to tailor the process to their specific needs.

Customised for children

Elker understands that children may have difficulty articulating their concerns or may accidentally disclose their identity when reporting. To address this, Elker uses easy-to-understand language and guides children through the reporting process, ensuring they feel safe and supported.

Child-focused and trauma-informed response templates

Responding to sensitive disclosures can be challenging. Elker simplifies the response process with comprehensive data capture while maintaining a trauma-informed and person-centred approach to sensitive reports. This ensures that every report is handled with the utmost care and sensitivity.

Training

Elker provides training and guides for responding to and managing cases, ensuring school staff have the knowledge and skills to handle reports effectively.

Compliance

Elker ensures compliance with child protection laws and privacy requirements for mandatory reporting. The platform ensures that schools are compliant with existing regulations and are prepared for all future legislative requirements.

Auto-translation and accessibility

Elker assists with automatic translation, enabling children from non-English speaking backgrounds to make clear reports in their preferred language.

Real-time analytics and pulse surveys

Elker's real-time analytics help schools make data-driven decisions, proactively managing risks and safeguarding the well-being of students and staff. Pulse surveys assess the safety climate within the school community, providing students and staff with a platform to express safety concerns and provide feedback.

End-to-end encryption

Elker uses end-to-end encryption to ensure the highest level of security and confidentiality for all reports. This means that only the intended recipient can access the contents of a report, and no one else, not even Elker staff, can view the sensitive information contained within.

Customisable reporting pathways

Every school is unique, and Elker recognises this by offering customisable reporting options. Schools can tailor the reporting process to their specific needs, ensuring that reports are directed to the appropriate staff members and that the necessary steps are taken to address each concern. Elker allows you to report as an individual, or in a group, select the appropriate case manager and upload evidence.

Efficient incident management

Elker's built-in case management system helps schools organise, track, and resolve reports efficiently. Staff can assign cases, set deadlines, and collaborate with one another to ensure that each report receives the attention it deserves.

Mobile app

Elker's mobile app makes it easy for students, staff, and parents to submit reports from anywhere, at any time. The app is user-friendly and intuitive, ensuring that anyone can use it to report concerns quickly and easily.

Analytics

Elker's advanced analytics tools provide schools with valuable insights into reporting trends and patterns. This information can help schools identify areas of concern, allocate resources effectively, and make data-driven decisions to improve student safety and well-being.

What can be reported?

Elker's anonymous reporting system is designed to handle a wide range of concerns, including:

Bullying and harassment

Bullying is a pervasive issue in many schools, with far-reaching consequences for the mental health and well-being of students. Elker provides a safe space for students to report bullying and harassment, whether in person or online. This includes cyberbullying and online sexual harassment, which has become increasingly prevalent in recent years with social media, cameras and digital manipulation tools. By reporting instances of bullying through Elker, students can help create a safer school environment for themselves and their peers.

Mental health concerns

The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the importance of mental health support for students. Social isolation, uncertainty, and the disruption of normal routines have taken a toll on many young people's mental well-being. Elker allows students to report concerns about their own mental health or that of their peers, including issues such as self-harm, suicidal thoughts, and anxiety.

Domestic issues

Students may also use Elker to report concerns about their home life, such as domestic violence or abuse. Children who witness or experience domestic violence often face significant challenges in their personal and academic lives. By reporting these issues through Elker, students can access the support and resources they need to cope with difficult home situations.

Teacher misconduct

While the vast majority of educators are dedicated professionals who prioritise the well-being of their students, there may be instances where a teacher's behaviour is cause for concern. Students, staff, and parents can use Elker to report any instances of inappropriate behaviour by teachers, such as breaches of professional boundaries, abuse or discrimination. It's important to note that Elker is not intended to be used for frivolous complaints or to undermine the authority of teachers. Rather, it serves as a tool to address serious concerns and ensure that all members of the school community are held to high standards of conduct.

Who can report?

Elker's anonymous reporting system is open to all members of the school community, including:

• Students
• Teachers and staff
• Parents and guardians

By involving the entire school community in the reporting process, Elker helps create a culture of transparency and accountability, where everyone plays a role in ensuring the safety and well-being of students.

The role of an anonymous reporting system in enhancing school safety

Implementing an anonymous reporting system like Elker is a proactive step towards enhancing school safety. Often, the warning signs of misconduct or student distress are missed, leading to serious consequences down the line. By providing a secure and accessible platform for reporting, Elker enables the early detection and intervention of potential issues.