Could the New Companion Safety App Be a Solution Against Sexual Harassment?
How many times have you wanted to go out at night, but avoided certain streets, locations or coming home too late in fear of being sexually harassed or worse?
With the new app, Companion, you don’t need to worry as it allows you to have virtual companions on any trip. Users add the friends or family they want, so they can keep an eye on them and track them via online map throughout their entire trip.
Companion app is available for both Android and iOS, and your companion doesn’t even have to have the app installed! In case your companion wasn’t available, you can send your request to several people at the same time to be on the safe side.
The companion will be able to discern any suspicious movements, for instance, if you stopped all of a sudden, started running, or strayed off your route, your companion will know that you’re in trouble. You can also press on an alert button that converts your phone into an alarm system that makes loud noises and can call the police. Even if you didn’t press that button and your companion gets suspicious, you have to confirm that you’re safe and if you didn’t confirm within 15 seconds, the alarm automatically switches on. There’s also another option where you can press the “I am nervous” button.
The app’s slogan is Never Walk Alone and despite the app’s main aim to prevent you from getting lost, in Egypt it could be used completely differently. It actually could be a slap in the face against sexual harassment. We’re not saying it would end sexual harassment entirely, but for sure it’s a great weapon for women above all.
The app was created by five students from the University of Michigan and was designed primarily to protect students while walking home from campus. If the student made an alarm, it will not only call 911 but will also call the university.
Don’t you just love it when technology is used to solve problems as huge as this?
WE SAID THIS: Don’t miss 13 Things Women Think After Being Harassed
