Discussion List for campus-based and allied personnel working to end gender-based violence on campus.

[John Foubert <>]

Hi Samantha,

I get contacted by companies trying to get me to endorse their mobile app, nail polish, or other obscure product about weekly, and I no longer even say no, I just don't respond.  Candidly, I find it offensive that so many entreprenuers who know little to nothing about sexual violence are trying to make a buck or thousands off of women's pain.  Perhaps even more importantly, these products assume that a potential survivor will always have phone in hand -- and be able to use it -- in the course of a situation which likely began as consensual (given how many perpetrators test boundaries) but then turn nonconsensual.  At that point, if a potential survivor can reach a phone, sending a group text or calling 911 is easier than opening an app that is somehow supposed to help.  What I've found particularly harmful is the apps that now encourage people to document consent by video, thus providing a ready defense for a perpetrator who records "consent" to engage in some sort of vaguely articulated activity and then push it to a level not consented to in the first place.  So, in short, my advice (for what it is worth) is to avoid the apps, polishes, and other similar products that both lack peer reviewed data to support their efficacy and may even put people at greater risk.

John Foubert

National President, One in Four

***********************************************
John D. Foubert, Ph.D., LLC

405-338-8046 (c)
http://works.bepress.com/john_foubert/

On Thu, Oct 22, 2015 at 9:20 AM, Samantha Ross <> wrote:

Good morning,

I have a colleague who recently saw a presentation on the livesafe mobile app.  http://www.livesafemobile.com/

I know there are several college-focused mobile apps, had not heard of this one, and wonder if anyone has any thoughts about the value of mobile apps in addressing the complex problem of sexual assault on college campuses.

Thank you in advance for your thoughts/comments.

Samantha B. Ross, LMFT

Sexual Harassment and Assault Response Program Manager

United States Military Academy

845-938-0508