This article has been written by Ms. Vijetha Saishree Palle, a 1 year student of Symbiosis Law School, NOIDA
ABSTRACT
The technology serves as a potential and strategic solution for dealing with and combating the social evil of domestic violence. Mobile applications and helpline numbers, amongst many other technological forums, have become critical in fighting against such social corruption. Safety planning apps have recognised the need to have a platform for the victims to access information on the right is planning a safe escape and available support services offering widespread and unique features of such safety designing mobile apps, including emergency buttons, location, talking through GPS systems, secure communication channels, enhancing the safety of the individual facing the domestic violence.
The helpline numbers traditionally have provided a tech-driven system or channel to provide immediate assistance through innovative communication, such as the launch of text and chat methods; these platforms offer anonymity and maintain the privacy of the victim’s identity. Through this article, we intend to explore several mechanisms and initiatives taken in India to deal with the hindering problem of domestic violence and how the upcoming nature of the digital era is taking the forefront as a solution to combat This issue. The article explores and understands the mechanisms of many mobile applications and introduces the reader to various helpline numbers and applications.
INTRODUCTION
The constantly evolving landscape of domestic violence and combating and addressing this vital issue marks technology as an emerging force that has the power to conquer this evil. The technology offers strategic, innovative solutions that address various stakeholders’ problems and multifaceted challenges, especially the victim. As time has evolved, the digital landscape has evolved and advanced to the point where it has the potential. It shall empower an individual and provide a stand to the individual who is trapped in an abusive relationship. Severally detailed planned safety apps that are tailored in a way to provide strategic escape methods and AI-driven helplines that offer immediate assistance have become a critical way of fighting domestic violence. Through this article, we aim to delve into technology’s transformative and essential role and explore the vital features that several present apps and helplines hold. We will further explore and understand the current legal implications and showcase how these helplines and apps have promise. They hold to shape the future narrative of domestic violence and its prevention. The article aims to delve into the understanding of how technology is not just a mere tool but a powerful and dynamic force that holds the potential value to revolutionise the support and safety provided to the survivors and victims of domestic violence.
TECHNOLOGY-THE EMPOWERING TOOL
In the contemporary world where, digital use has prevailed. Several safety planning apps have emerged as crucial tools that have provided aid to victims who seek justice and escape from abusive situations and intolerable behavioural patterns of family members. Some famous domestic violence supporting apps introduced in India are ‘Nirbhaya: Be Fearless’ and ‘iFollow’. These apps have become in acted as an instrument for 18 victims to seek refuge from domestic violence. The vital features of these apps are similar to their global counterparts such as “MyPlan” Offers a personalised escape plan, which includes discreet notification and the suggested escape route.
Post the tragic and gruesome gangrape of Nirbhaya in December 2012, the potential and need for a personal safety app was invented, which transformed the landscape of women’s security. Each of these apps had diverse features and empowered women to offer a sense of security and safety from all potentially dangerous situations. A few of the noteworthy safety apps are known for the ‘walk with me’ feature that enables real-time tracking of the user’s various movements. ‘VithU’ Is an app that uses the phone’s power button as a shortcut to send distress messages and location to the emergency contacts. ‘Scream alarm’ uses an alarm system that creates a loud sound to alert and potentially scare the assailants. ‘Bsafe’ is another app that incorporates time, alarms and GPS tracking, which even came up with a unique feature of fake incoming calls to ensure the user’s safety. An Indian-specific app catered to the requirements of Indian users was ‘Raksha, ‘ which enables sending active location alerts without even allowing the app to by just employing the volume button.
The launch of ‘Nirbhaya: be fearless!’ Was successful in conducting the trial run of the new mobile app by the Uttar Pradesh police. The new mobile app has enhanced its design mechanism to promote a user-friendly environment and features to upgrade the safety net for women. The app was named after a brave victim of the famous gangrape case of Nirbhaya, which was initially launched in the Delhi NCR region, namely Noida, and had plans to expand its reach to other cities in Uttar Pradesh. The primary need of the app is to provide the user’s home address along with five emergency contacts and register their mobile numbers before downloading the app. The information would be integrated and delivered to the Noida police control rooms database. In an unlikely situation of an emergency, the user can send an SOS through the app, allowing the police to trace their location using the GPS and other tracking sites of the phone, the mobile information and the nearest local area code after receiving the SOS, the Noida police and the local Circle of officer would be notified to monitor and respond immediately. Additionally, the alert would be sent to police officers if the User or the caller of SOS has changed its location by 300 m. This app’s technology kal or device developers hope to develop a Bluetooth device or available accessories that can be paired with the phone to send a more reachable distress signal.
The successful trial of this app involved the prompt rescue of several women who were abducted more than a dozen times in sector 49 of Noida. The app shockingly showcases the effective implementation and the rescue mechanisms along with prompt responses from the end of the police. The app aims to provide a secure environment for thousands of students and working women as they go out daily and do their daily lives without fear. It provides a safe environment where women can reach out for help, even for those who hesitate to secure justice willingly through traditional means.
The importance of such safety planning apps has been widely discussed in recent legal proceedings in India. The honourable courts have acknowledged the active role of victims in utilising the safety planning apps as a piece of vital and primary evidence in securing their safety. The justice system rightfully recognised the importance of integrating the web of technology into the legal arrangements regarding domestic violence and enforced such domestic violence, supporting apps as a critical, invaluable asset for victims.
The safety planning apps have continued to evolve with the support of India’s justice system. Their structural impact has extended beyond individual cases. They have now contributed to a board broader perspective of technological innovation as well as its revolution. The introduction of technology into the justice system, while dealing with the evil of domestic violence, has actively Transformed and acted as a catalyst in shaping the proactive response to domestic violence in India and offers a tangible solution along with a robust support mechanism for those who are in need.
SOS EMERGENCY ALERTING APPS
With further progression and technology as supplementary to safety planning, apps have emerged in the form of emergency SOS. Several apps, such as ‘Circle of 6’ and ‘bsafe’, are designed to facilitate a fast response in threatening situations where active app usage can deteriorate the situation or circumstance. These applications are primarily based on the foundation feature, which quickly alerts emergency services and contacts by promoting and providing them with the active location using GPS technology to ensure rapid assistance and no delay in the process. To safeguard its real-world applications and effectiveness, a comparative study and understanding to analyse various views and success stories become vital. The examination and research of these implications can promote betterment. Do the app and provide valuable insights into the potential limitations of different SOS apps. This enables the users as well as developers to make a practical impact.
The web of technology and legal recognition intricacies is modifying a landscape where apps empower and enable victims and provide an incredible tool in legal proceedings. The intersection is promising to fight against the social evil of domestic violence. It emphasises the need for a more holistic support system that extends from the realm of digital applications and SOS alerting apps to the courtrooms.
CRISIS INTERVENTION: HELPLINE SERVICES
By recognising the various needs and the diversity of requirements of every individual, several helpline numbers in India were launched—one of the many helpline numbers is the National Domestic Violence helpline. The uniqueness of such a helpline was that it incorporated different means to approach the authorities through text or chat options for cases where making a phone call was not viable. The Indian government actively recognises the distress women are experiencing and has launched helplines to promote active resilience and safety for women. A few of the government’s national helpline numbers include the helpline number for the National Commission for Women, Sakshi Violence, intervention Centre or SAARTHAK.
The emergence of AI has also contributed to amplifying the services by providing AI-driven helplines. One of the prominent AI-driven helplines is ‘Chat Guardian’, which utilises AI language to provide speedy assistance.
CONCLUSION
To sum up everything discussed so far in the article, the role of technology in combatting mystic violence through the innovation and development of apps and helpline numbers has emerged as a critical empowering tool that aids in fighting against the pressing societal issue of domestic violence. Technology plays a pivotal role in breaking the silence surrounding domestic violence. It provides a strategic solution by providing accessible support and promoting safety for the survivors or victims.
The app is designed in a specific manner to address domestic violence, offering immediate assistance and allowing survivors to access resources and emergency services with just a few taps of the smartphone. The thought of having a safety application in the axis of your hand is calming to every woman. The innovation of these apps not only bridges the gap or blurs lines for those who hesitate to seek help through the most traditional means but also supports it as an educational tool that raises awareness about various behavioural patterns and signs of abuse and avails supporting services efficiently.
Due to the digital availability and increase in digital awareness, technology has created a stage or a platform to connect with survivors. Providing them with a support network, helping them share their experiences, and seeking professional advice has become more convenient. Undoubtedly, social media platforms and online forums are excellent means to foster solidarity among survivors and victims and break the stigmatic perceptions and stereotypes about domestic violence.
Tapestry of application and technology to with the fight against it. Domestic violence has the potential to reshape societal attitudes and outlooks, empower survivors, and contribute to the creation of a safer and more intra-supportive environment for those affected. The ongoing collaboration between All the stakeholders, including Technological developers, advocacy groups and policymakers, is a Crucial step towards harnessing the full potential of these strategic and innovative solutions to eradicate domestic wardens from society.
REFERENCES
This article was originally published on the National Commission for Women. The link for the same is herein http://www.ncw.nic.in/helplines
This article was originally written by Kimberly Jacobs and published on Women Who Code. The link for the same is herein. https://www.womenwhocode.com/blog/understanding-the-impact-of-technology-on-domestic-violence
This article was originally written by Mirai Maruo, Alicia Hammond, and Diana J. Arango and published on World Bank Blogs. The link for the same is herein. https://blogs.worldbank.org/voices/thinking-about-using-technology-address-gender-based-violence-five-recommendations-experts
This article was originally published in the Economic Times. The link for the same is herein. https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/magazines/panache/can-tech-be-a-shield-understanding-technologys-role-in-combating-domestic-violence/articleshow/105536897.cms
This article was originally published on New Tactics. The link for the same is herein. https://www.newtactics.org/tactic/using-mobile-phone-technology-end-domestic-violence
This article was originally written by Snook, Chayn and SafeLives and published on Safe Lives. The link for the same is herein. https://safelives.org.uk/sites/default/files/resources/Tech%20vs%20abuse%20report.pdf
This article was originally published on Economic Times. The link for the same is herein. https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/tech-life/14-personal-safety-apps-for-women/2-vithu/slideshow/45451320.cms
This article was originally published in The Times of India. The link for the same is herein. https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/15-personal-safety-apps-for-women/nirbhaya-be-fearless/photostory/45431462.cms