What is HER?

HER is an app specially designed to fight against gender-based, domestic and sexual violence, which also offers all users extra security on a day-to-day basis.

Domestic violence victims can download the app, which includes features designed specifically for them. These were designed after consulting all stakeholders involved in SGBV cases: specialised police, associations that work with victims, psychologists, government, etc.

HER includes a small camera that can be bought and linked with the app to make any user feel safer in their everyday lives as well as to prevent sexual aggresion. Including a preventive feature eliminates the stigma of being an app just for domestic violence and broadens accessibility.

HER has a real impact in improving the situation of victims and preventing sexual violence.

Why HER?

SGBV is one of the most significant problems in society that affects more than 25,000 women annually in Spain. According to the National Statistics Institute of Spain, this number has been increasing since 2013, reaching 31,000 in 2022. Their report "Statistics of domestic and gender-based violence" indicates that the number of women victims increased by 8.3% in 2022, to 32,644 with a rate of 1.5 victims per 1,000 women aged 14 and above.

In the last 20 years in Spain, more than 1,250 victims have been killed as a result of domestic violence, with over 60 women killed every year according to the Ministry of Equality.

How does HER work?

HER is an easy and intuitive app, so that any user can effectively navigate it.

HER consists of a homepage with access to the user's profile, where they can sign up with their full name, ID, contact information and linked devices, and edit their privacy and security settings. None of this information will be shared, but it is mandatory to start the app to prevent people from abusing the app.

On the homepage, apart from the user's profile, four features will be available:

Feature 1: VioGen Seguimiento ensures the compliance with restraining orders. This is only accessible by judicial decree for domestic violence victims.
Feature 2: Red de Experiencias is a place to share resources, experiences, activities, etc. It is linked to local associations and includes a private chat with trained volunteers. This is especially useful for women in rural areas.
Feature 3: Siéntete Segur@ is available to any user. It is connected to an external camera to prevent sexual violence.
Feature 4: It is a direct link to AlertCops, an app offered by the Spanish police.

FEATURE 1

VioGen Seguimiento

VioGen Seguimiento substitutes obsolete electronic devices that monitor restraining orders and have not been renewed for the last 15 years. Previous devices constantly remind victims of their situation, negatively affecting their mental health.

VioGen Seguimiento consists of a GPS enabled smartwatch in which the app can be installed and monitor the locations of both the victim and the perpetrator. This feature will only be accesible by judicial decree for those women who are under this special type of protection.

It's design ensures that neither the victim nor the aggresor can remove the smartwatch.

The smartwatch is distributed by the government, and is free for victims.

FEATURE 2

Red de Experiencias

Red de Experiencias is specifically designed to accompany domestic violence victims, providing them with psychological aid and sharing resources, experiences and activities that take place in their community.

Local victim associations from each city are available in Red de Experiencias. Victims will be able to access a 24h chat with trained volunteers in order to receive psychological aid, judicial advice and support in administrative procedures.

Using Red de Experiencias women who have lived through SGBV can share their stories, so that no one feels alone.

Red de Experiencias will be connected with Alcorcón's Centro Integral de Atención y Protección a mujeres víctimas de violencia machista (Comprehensive Help and Protection Center for SGBV Victims) which will be built in 2024 and offer 24-hour aid to victims.

FEATURE 3

Siéntete Segur@

Siéntete Segur@ is accesible to all citizens to prevent sexual violence.

Siéntete Segur@ is designed so that anyone can easily start a recording (both video and audio) when they feel unsafe. It consists of an external mini-camera linked by Bluetooth that can be attached to user's jacket or bag. This recording will remain on the terminal until the user discards it.

While recording, users can say a preconfigured word to share their location and live recording with the police. Siéntete Segur@ is especially useful for a safe return home at night for young girls.

Siéntete Segur@ will greatly facilitate police investigation in cases of crime, which makes its use a deterrent to avoid theft or sexual assaults.

FEATURE 4

AlertCops

This feature is direct access to AlertCops, an app from the Police and Civil Guard.

Video (in Spanish)

Vídeo HER.mp4

Key stakeholders

While developing the app we contacted all stakeholders involved in SGBV cases. We would like to specially thank those who have given us advice and validated our project:

Inspector of Special Services of the Local Police in Logroño.
Head of the Coordination Unit of Violence against Women in the Delegation of the Government of La Rioja.
Red Vecinal contra la Violencia de Género in La Rioja (association).
Family and Women Attention Unit of the National Police.
Gender Violence Area of the Organic Unit of the Judicial Police of the Civil Guard.
Minister of Health and Social Policies of La Rioja.
General Director of Social Services of La Rioja.
General Director of Justice and Interior of La Rioja.
Deputy General Director of Equality of La Rioja.
Government Delegate in La Rioja.
Director of the Functional Area of High Inspection of Education of La Rioja.
Bosonit (IT consultancy).

Meet the team:

CIA - Compañía de Ingenieras Adolescentes

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