Using Mobile Phone Technology to End Domestic Violence

Mobile Applications to Combat Domestic Violence

VictimsVoice

Although legal mechanisms exist in the United States to report and prosecute domestic violence, few victims feel safe doing so. Even fewer are able to find justice through court systems. Launched in June of 2019, VictimsVoice allows victims of domestic violence to report instances of abuse through secure channels. The app also collects specific documentation in case the user wants to pursue legal action against their abuser. Its developers recognized that far too many cases of domestic violence never go to trial because of a lack of ‘sufficient’ evidence. Users can upload photos of injuries, exam details from physicians, and respond to questions to ensure swift prosecution. The app’s developers have partnered with District Attorney’s offices, law enforcement agencies, prosecutors, and law firms across the country to pursue justice for victims of domestic violence.

Data collected through the app is stored off-device and encrypted. This ensures that abusers cannot access any information inputted by the user. All uploaded content saves permanently regardless of whether or not the user updates their license. This is so that victims are able to report whenever they feel ready—even years later. Users can access VictimsVoice from any device (ensuring easy access and security). The app is available for an annual cost of $39.99. VictimsVoice also offers gift cards to help loved ones escape abuse. Partner programs assist by subsidizing costs for those who can’t afford the price of the app’s license.

VictimsVoice hopes to serve as a model for app-based tactics in responding to the epidemic of domestic violence worldwide. The developers anticipate going global one day. They also recognize the importance of focusing their efforts on ensuring the best possible service for local users. Updates are continually made with strategic input from Native consultants. These updates take into account the jurisdictional specifics within sovereign nations and tribal court proceedings. The app’s Founder and CEO, Sheri Kurdakul, recognizes the future possibilities created through the development of VictimsVoice. This technology is poised and built to be used beyond the scope of domestic violence.

GjejZâ (Find your Voice)

Clear across the globe, three entrepreneurial teens in Albania have developed an app to assist victims of domestic violence in accessing much needed support and resources. A 2018 survey found that one in two women suffered abuse at the hands of a partner in Albania. Ninety seven percent of these cases were never reported to the police. GjejZâ (Find your Voice) came about in response to these survey results. The three teens who developed the app were winners of the Technovation Challenge. This challenge asked girls to code solutions to local problems.

The app pinpoints three crucial steps for victims of domestic violence: identifying the problem, empowering the user, and enabling them to take action. Users first answer a series of questions to identify abuse. They then hear testimonies of women who have escaped similar situations. These stores instill hope in the victims of domestic violence. The stories include resources to enable victims to quickly and easily take action. Resources include contact information to obtain benefits, restraining orders, shelter, and employment.

Feeling hopeful about life after abuse can be especially difficult. GjejZâ has done its part to address the myriad of challenges victims face. This service will likely go a long way in Albania, where 4.63 million people regularly use mobile phones.

EasyRescue

Approximately 4 out of every 10 women in Turkey have experienced physical violence by their husbands or intimate partners. Eighty nine percent of these women never told authorities or pressed charges. Public dialogue about the issue in Turkey is contentious. As a result, disseminating educational materials is difficult. Most survivors are unable to learn about available resources to escape domestic violence. However, mobile technology in Turkey is changing the landscape in providing assistance to victims.

In 2015, the Turkish mobile phone company Vodafone took up their own challenge of “using mobiles for good” by creating the EasyRescue app. This app provides a quick and easy way for women experiencing domestic violence to alert authorities. Once a user downloads the app, it appears on mobile phones under a different name as not to arouse suspicion by abusers. Users can discreetly report incidents to authorities by shaking their phones, which alerts three pre-selected individuals or social service organizations. These contacts (friends, family, law-enforcement, domestic violence hotlines, or even an ambulance) receive a message from the phone, including the user’s geographic location.

Vodaphone utilized some savvy methods to advertise this service. The team placed print ads in places where potential abusers were not likely to see it. For example, ads were hidden on lingerie tags, wax strips, in women’s bathrooms, on daytime TV shows that targeted women, and within female bloggers’ videos. Female Vodaphone customers received notification of its release via automated voice message. Vodaphone was programmed to recognize when a man answered the phone, at which point a generic promotional offer played.

Since its launch, the app has supported over 300,000 women in Turkey to reduce the cycle of domestic violence. SmartRescue’s designers anticipated that the app would remain underground for only a short time, ultimately creating a safety hazard for women. Ten months after launch, designers began ‘phase two’ of the app, creating a new interface to once again avoid detection. Vodafone used many of their original advertising strategies to alert women to the change in interface.

Ensuring App Safety in Domestic Violence Protection

Because the goal of these apps is the safety and protection of victims, it is vital that developers ensure they function in the intended way. When the National Network to End Domestic Violence (NNEDV) examined a number of domestic violence apps with the App Safety Centre, they found that some didn’t effectively send alerts or contact emergency services as advertised. They also highlighted potential privacy issues. One of these was the danger of relying on GPS, as experts generally recommend turning off GPS to avoid phone monitoring. Ultimately, outreach programs and services can transform from protective tools into security threats when an abuser discovers their use. Technology programs look to EasyRescue, VictimsVoice, and GjejZâ (Find your Voice) must act as leaders in the innovative fight against domestic violence.

October is National Domestic Violence Awareness Month in the U.S. You can do your part to support victims by donating a VictimsVoice gift card to a partner organization.

What we can learn from this Tactic:

This app teaches us about the power of technology in addressing underreported issues. These apps—VictimsVoice, GjejZâ, and EasyRescue—demonstrate how creative solutions can empower victims by providing secure platforms to report abuse and access resources. This tactic could be applied to other contexts, such as human trafficking, sexual harassment, or child abuse, where victims face barriers to reporting. By tailoring app features to specific needs, developers can create powerful tools for addressing a wide range of social issues while ensuring the safety and privacy of users.