The Malinauskas Government has committed $320,000 in funding to continue a potentially life-saving mobile phone app that connects victim-survivors directly to police.
Providing support for a further three years, the app enables those at high risk of domestic and family violence to seek immediate help from police in an emergency.
In particular, the app has a duress feature which is monitored around the clock and links women in danger directly to authorities. If the feature is activated, a 24/7 monitoring centre will contact SA Police for immediate dispatch.
Victim-Survivors can ask for access to the app by contacting the free and confidential Domestic Violence Crisis Phone Line. Qualified crisis response workers then work with victim-survivors at high risk to determine if and how the app is appropriate for their safety plan.
More than 460 victim-survivors were provided with access to the app in the 2022-23 financial year – up 27 per cent on the prior year, and more than double the number of applicants registered in the first year of operation.
The App, developed by an Adelaide-based company, cannot be publicly shared – this helps to protect those who use it, and prevents perpetrators from being able to identify it.
The Malinauskas Government is committed to making a real difference in the lives of women and children in South Australia and to tackling the behaviour of those who perpetrate violence. The continued support of this App is one practical element in a range of initiatives – legislative measures, preventative actions and policies, and recovery options – to tackle domestic and family violence.
Victim-Survivors who feel they may be safer with access to this App should contact the Domestic Violence Crisis Line on 1800 800 098 to discuss their circumstances.
As put by Minister for Women and the Prevention of Domestic and Family Violence Katrine Hildyard
The prevalence of domestic, family and sexual violence in our community is utterly unacceptable. Our Government is deeply committed to working across the domains of prevention and early intervention to tackle perpetrator behaviour and stop violence before it starts, response to those in crisis and recovery and healing.
Sadly, for many people experiencing the horror of domestic and family violence, picking up the telephone and calling police could lead to a very dangerous situation and create a life-threatening trigger when authorities are called in.
Having this app can be invaluable and life saving for brave victim-survivors and their children giving them a discreet, sometimes safer way to access emergency support.
The Malinauskas Government’s continued funding of this app is just one element of our commitment to tackle domestic and family violence and help at-risk families in South Australia to feel and be safe and secure.
Qualified domestic violence crisis workers from the 24/7 Domestic Violence Crisis Line work with victim-survivors to assess their situation and the best way forward, with the App able to be provided to link them directly with police in an emergency.
We know that many people who have used the app report feeling safer because they know that a fast response is part of their safety plan.
This is one important way to empower victim-survivors as we continue our work to educate men to stop using violence and fundamentally shift attitudes and the gender inequality that contributes the horrific scourge of violence we confront.
As put by Maria Hagias, Women’s Safety Services SA
Domestic and family violence remains at epidemic levels in our community. In addition to critical prevention work designed to stop gender-based violence before it starts, it is crucial that people who are being subjected to violence receive the support they need to be safe.
This App can serve as an important safety resource for victim-survivors of domestic and family violence at high risk of serious injury or death.
