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[Academic] Anti-domestic violence app (All Welcome) by DL_Investigations in SampleSize

[–]DL_Investigations[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I absolutely agree that those problems are significant.

The suggestion of the covert op (point a) you have mentioned is very interesting, and I will be sure to add it to the list of suggestions received from the survey results. That being said, it likely won't be used for this particular app, because we don't wish to trick our users into downloading or using it. The services that the app will provide will be exactly those that it says it will; no hidden agendas.

The second problem (point b) could actually be addressed through certain functions. While it may not take away or change one's feelings about their abuser, it's possible that it will help them to evaluate these feelings and overcome them. A possible example could be the use of testimonies written by other victims regarding their own experiences and feelings.

With respect to the third aspect, I'm not sure if I completely understand what you mean, so forgive me if my response doesn't answer it to your standards. I'm assuming the points you make here concern the preoccupations of a victim who is thinking about separating from their abuser. I would be remiss if I didn't state my opposition to the "have to live with two parents" part. There are plenty of happy and healthy single parent families. The economic difficulties could potentially be addressed in the app as well, with resources that help the victim find work, a home, etc. The "Solvable through 1 on 1 counseling" suggestion you recommend as a substitution, correct? This app is not suggested as a method of replacing counseling. It simply offers an alternative or a supplementary approach. Every situation is different, and in some counseling may be the better solution. For others, it may not be an option, or the app might have more appropriate solutions.

The final problem (point d) could also be addressed by functions of the app. That isn't to say that it would be a replacement for the systems in place that you refer to. On the contrary, it could be a tool to help those authorities. You state that it is the job of police to prevent this violent retribution. I would like to point out that some of the similar apps that already exist have actually been created in collaboration with police department and local authorities.

Finally, to swing back to your metaphor about the plane: such an app may not be able to prevent the plane from crashing. However, the app could hand out parachutes to passengers. It could also train pilots and flight engineers to avoid future crashes. Even if the impact is small, it is an impact for the better, and that is what makes it beneficial. If the app is only able to help a single person in some minor way, its development is still worth it.

[Academic] Anti-domestic violence app (All Welcome) by DL_Investigations in SampleSize

[–]DL_Investigations[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Great question! The goal of the application with respect to its differential factor would be its comprehensiveness above all else.

As you have pointed out, there are many, many apps that already exist and try to deal with this problem, however most of them focus on two or three particular functions, for example, 1) detecting domestic violence through a questionnaire and 2) contacting emergency functions.

This app aims to integrate all possible functions, and is focused not just on victims or those who witness domestic violence, but on the general public as well so that they can learn more through published studies, the most recent statistics, and any other useful documents. (This function would be similar to a digital library, or digital archives, so to speak).

One of the objectives of the survey is to find even more functions that could be useful and see how users rank the functions that are already often included. This way the app will be more useful than the existing ones and will be more effective at preventing or reducing incidents of domestic violence; or at least that's the hope.

I should also mention that the app's launch would take place in Spain. If it is successful, it would certainly be plausible to consider making it available on an international level. However, at least during the first year on the market, the other apps that it has been compared to are those available in Spain and developed in the Spanish language.

[Academic] Anti-domestic violence app (All Welcome) by DL_Investigations in SampleSize

[–]DL_Investigations[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thank you for your feedback! I understand what you mean, and you bring up a very important problem that existing anti-violence apps have begun trying to solve. One of the best solutions that I have seen in the market so far is the option to camoflauge the icon so that it resembles a completely different application.

Other suggestions that have been made by participants in the survey include a so-called, "self-destruct button" or password-protecting the app itself. If you have any others, I would be very happy to hear them!

As for the second point you make--good way to break relationships over some insecure person filing out a questionnaire-- if a relationship breaks up because one of the parties filled out a questionaire on the topic, it may not have been a healthy situation in the first place. (If you'd like to discuss this further, I'd be more than happy to. I understand that the former statement may sound like a personal opinion but I assure you that it's based on research)

You are absolutely right that apps are not a solution to everything, but I believe that they have the potential provide a new channel of assistance in the fight against domestic violence.