STOPit stopping bullies and abusers in their tracks

We are all aware of the bullying happening in our schools. Our children are often caught between a rock and a hard place and don’t really know how to get information about these activities to authorities without being branded as “snitches”.

They are afraid of victimisation.

With STOPit, a new incident management system being rolled out in schools, anonymous reporting of such incidents will be available to learners.

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STOPit has landed on SA shores and local license holder Blankpage Publishing is rolling out en mass at schools.

Developed in the US in 2014 and following two years of rapid global deployment, South African schools will be pleased to know that the STOPit system is now available for immediate local roll-out.

With 7 000 schools and three million users across the US, Canada, Singapore, Japan and Australia showing a proven track record of reducing and even eliminating bullying and abuse, STOPit is set to make its mark in SA as well.

“We are extremely excited and proud to be able to bring a much-needed solution to SA’s schools, where the scourge of bullying and abuse seems to be at an all-time high,” said Blankpage MD Warren Hickinbotham.

The system facilitates two-way anonymous communication via an app between a learner and an administrator at the school. The administrator captures all the information into a web-based case management software called DOCUMENTit, where cases are tagged, shared, investigated and managed.

Powerful analytics are then used to get a clear picture of the issues and protocols can be put in place to further combat incidents of all types.

Once a school has subscribed to the app, children can download it and anonymously report any incidents at a school to a central point.

Most schools get a corporate sponsor to subsidise the app, which makes it accessible to all the learners. Reporting on such incidents can happen after hours and at any time, which would be convenient in order to protect the anonymity of the person.

Interested schools should contact Hickinbotham on warrenh@blankpage.co.za or 087 095 3224.