The ANROWS Digital Library provides links to a broad range of evidence in the violence against women sector including research papers, reports and resources.

The library is committed to providing access to high-quality and accessible (open access) evidence to ensure that researchers, policymakers, and practitioners have access to research and resources that are relevant to their work in the prevention of violence against women.

Please note that some content such as journal articles and books are restricted from public access due to copyright restrictions. Please refer to the information on the record to locate these resources externally.

If you have any questions or need help accessing resources, please contact publications@anrows.org.au.


  1. ANROWS Archive
  2. ANROWS Digital Library: Complete collection
  3. Journal Articles
Please use this identifier to cite or link to this item: https://anrows.intersearch.com.au/anrowsjspui/handle/1/16406
Record ID: c9901b2d-99ad-4694-b5e9-7495272ced77
Web resource: https://www.dur.ac.uk/resources/sass/research/briefings/ResearchBriefing12-ProtectingWomensSafety.pdf
Type: Journal Article
Title: Protecting women's safety? The use of smartphone 'apps' in relation to domestic and sexual violence
Authors: Hardey, Mariann
Westmarland, Nicole
Bows, Hannah
Keywords: Service provision
Year: 2013
Publisher: Durham University, School of Applied Social Sciences
Citation: No. 12
Notes:  This study, conducted by University of Durham (UK) researchers, explored the use of smartphone applications ('apps') in relation to domestic and sexual violence. They conducted the study by:
The authors found that almost half (49 percent) of the apps provided some form of panic alarm or danger alert system; 32 percent of apps provided information about support services available or awareness raising about domestic and sexual violence; and 10 percent of apps preformed an evidence gathering function, such as voice recording and storage.

The authors found that domestic and sexual violence practitioners were largely critical of panic alarm style apps, feeling they 'did not really add anything'. The authors argue that these apps may contribute to victim blaming, reinforce 'stranger danger' panics, increase the responsibility felt by victims to keep themselves safe, and contribute to the commodification of women's safety.

The authors believe that apps may be more appropriately focused at people who have ended a domestic violence relationship and who want information or support. They recommend that future apps include domestic and sexual violence practitioners as advisors at the development stage.
URI: https://anrows.intersearch.com.au/anrowsjspui/handle/1/16406
Physical description: 6p
Appears in Collections:Journal Articles

Files in This Item:
File Description SizeFormat  
ResearchBriefing12-ProtectingWomensSafety.pdfResearchBriefing12-ProtectingWomensSafety.pdf1.93 MBAdobe PDFThumbnail
View/Open
Show full item record


Items in ANROWS library are protected by copyright, with all rights reserved, unless otherwise indicated.

Google Media

Google ScholarTM

Who's citing