Apps Against Abuse Challenge Winners
In July 2011, Vice President Joe Biden, the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy and Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Kathleen Sebelius launched the “Apps Against Abuse” technology challenge – a national competition to develop an innovative software application, or “app,” that provides young adults with tools to help prevent sexual assault and dating violence. Read the HHS press release on the challenge.
Young women aged 16-24 experience the highest rates of rape and sexual assault, while one in five will be a victim of sexual assault during college. Many of these assaults occur when the offender, often an acquaintance, has targeted and isolated a young woman in vulnerable circumstances.
The “Apps Against Abuse” challenge called upon the nation’s innovative technology developers to create an easy-to-use application that provides a targeted way for young adults to designate trusted friends, allies, or emergency contacts and provide a means for checking-in with these individuals in real-time, particularly in at-risk situations.
The developers were also encouraged to provide quick access to resources and information on sexual assault and teen dating violence, as well as where to go for help. Details on and submissions to the “Apps Against Abuse” challenge found on the challenge.gov website.
The winners of the “Apps Against Abuse” challenge are:
Circle of 6
This iPhone app is a prototype that makes it quick and easy to reach your circle and let them know where you are, and what you need. It takes two touches to get help.
The app uses text messaging to contact your circle, uses GPS to locate you when needed, connects to reputable domestic violence organizations (if needed), and asks everyone take the pledge to stop violence before it happens via Facebook.
Read the Circle of 6 entry to the challenge.
Learn more about the Circle of 6 app by visiting its page on Facebook 
.
On Watch
On Watch is an iPhone app where you can transmit critical information--by phone, email, text, and social media--to your support network.
You can check-in with friends, call 911 or campus police with two touches of a button, set count-down timers that send messages and GPS information automatically if events or activities don’t go according to plan, and has links to sexual assault, dating violence and domestic abuse hotlines.
Read the On Watch entry to the challenge.
Visit the On Watch website to learn more.
HHS is thrilled with the response to this important challenge and congratulates the winners.
Note: Images are for illustration purposes only. Actual applications may vary in appearance.
