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

[Jen Luettel Schweer <>]

I would also caution against just widely generalizing about the use of all apps. I agree that we need to be aware and informed regarding the products that are being marketed and ensure that access and safety are always of primary concern. However, it's important to disseminate information in a variety of ways, and apps are a way to do that.  We use the UASK app here in DC, which was developed by Men Can Stop Rape and the DC Office of Victim Services.  It's something that holds resource information about all of the DC universities, access to police and medical processes, provides free car rides to the hospital and connects our students with community resources.  By encouraging all students who have smartphones to download it, we know that first responders (RA's, friends, etc.) will have everything they need handy if needed.  It's when apps are used to convey a false sense of security or cause victim blaming that we need to be cautious.  Technology is used by many of our students, and we must respond by spending the time to use it in ways it makes sense for them and educate when it doesn't. (Additionally, Georgetown uses LiveSafe through our campus police department as well, and I think that, overall, our students and staff have found it to be a useful tool.)

-jen

On Thu, Oct 22, 2015 at 2:39 PM, Seguin, Angela DiNunzio <> wrote:

Our campus uses the LiveSafe app via Campus Police.  Students can use it to:

 

-          Submit anonymous info/tips about crime, or submit without anonymity

-          Alert police to incidents occurring in the moment via text, photo, video, audio, live chat

-          Access safety & resource info, phone numbers, etc.

-          Use peer-to-peer location tracking and group chat among friends – the idea being, for example, if you are walking home alone from the library late at night & don’t feel comfortable,  you can let friends know where you are & where you are going until you get there safely.  (I think the location feature can even be used if you call campus police so they can track you until you get where you are going.)

-          Check out a campus incident map

 

As with anything, I’m sure there are pros & cons, but thus far our students and staff seem to appreciate it and campus police have gotten some excellent in-the-moment information to allow them to respond to incidents quickly & info for investigations.

 

Angela

 

 

From: Samantha Ross []
Sent: Thursday, October 22, 2015 10:21 AM
To: sapc;
Cc:
Subject: Mobile App query

 

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

--

Jen Luettel Schweer, MA, LPC

Associate Director, Health Education Services

Sexual Assault Response and Prevention Services

Adjunct Faculty, Women and Gender Studies                

Georgetown University

Health Education Services

1437 37th St., NW

Poulton Hall, Suite 101

Washington, D.C., 20057

202.687.0323-phone

If you need to speak with someone immediately, please

contact the DC Rape Crisis Center at 202.333.7273 (RAPE) or

click here to access the Rape, Abuse and Incest National Network's

Online Hotline: 

http://www.rainn.org/get-help/national-sexual-assault-online-hotline

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