Prince Edward County Public Schools recently launched a new reporting tool to aid in the prevention of bullying.

The webpage, SafeShare Reporting, linked to the division’s website, provides people in the schools an outlet to report bullying, cyberbullying and other concerns, according to the website.

“It’s operating now and we’re pleased that it’s open and accessible,” said Division Superintendent Dr. David Smith.

Russell Dove, chairman of the county’s school board, made the initial request to pursue a reporting page for the school community.

Dove said he is confident that the new SafeShare Reporting on the school’s website will give Prince Edward’s electronically savvy students a way to report their concerns.

“Reports may be made anonymously, but in order to provide a response to your report, we will need contact information provided. The site is not monitored 24 hours a day and is not an emergency crisis line,” according to the website.

Smith said if there is an emergency, calling 911 is the best option.

When developing the reporting page, he said, it was important to look at other divisions with a similar method in place as as guide.

“The intent was to make it readily accessible,” said Smith. “SafeShare is one means of reporting that students have available.”

In addition to the new reporting page, students are able to report any incident on paper at the main offices in each school, Smith said.

“This doesn’t replace anything,” he said, but adds an additional method of reporting for students to take advantage of after incidents.

In addition to reporting the incident on paper, students are encouraged to speak with an administrator or guidance counselor about each situation, according to the website.

The reporting page provides students with the names and contact information for Prince Edward’s guidance counselors, along with additional state and community resources.

The SafeShare online reporting page can be accessed through the Prince Edward County Public Schools website at www.pecps.k12.va.us/.