Every single member of the Harrogate Family Law team puts their clients at the centre of the work they do, putting the focus on justice and the right outcomes. And that includes helping clients to feel empowered, secure, and ready to move on.
For those clients leaving an abusive relationship, there are additional considerations during separation and divorce, including the need to stay safe.
It’s a shocking fact that 1 in 4 women and 1 in 7 men will experience some form of domestic abuse in their lifetime. It’s a pretty stark reminder just how prevalent this issue is. To help those living in fear, a number of creative minds have now started developing ways to improve personal safety at the tap of an app on your smartphone. Let’s take a look.
Hollie Guard
Working closely with the ManKind Initiative, The Domestic Abuse Alliance and Domestic Abuse Education, Hollie Guard provides a range of personal safety features.
From alerting your emergency contacts to danger and evidence gathering technology, to journey monitoring and flare reporting, Hollie Guard exists to help individuals feel safer and more secure living their independent lives away from an abusive spouse or partner.
MyNara
Created by Clinical Trauma Counsellor, Emma Davey, MyNara is an app designed specifically to support victims of narcissistic abuse to recover from trauma and rebuild their lives.
A survivor herself, Emma has dedicated her life after narcissistic abuse to help others recognise the signs and gather evidence.
Starting over after an abusive relationship can be an isolating experience. Emma has also built a large network of survivors who can lean on one another for support in a non-judgemental environment.
TapSOS
As many as 18,000 calls are made to the emergency services every year, during which the caller is unable to speak for fear of their safety. TapSOS was brought about by Becca Hulme, who is passionate about creating more inclusive tech.
While it started out as a medical tool – if someone was deaf or having a medical emergency – the app can also be used by those who may be under attack or in a dangerous situation.
A rise in tech abuse
While it’s brilliant to see these kinds of apps helping victims of domestic abuse, we’d be remiss if we didn’t mention the increase in abusers using technology as another way to control and manipulate their victims.
Online harassment, tracking locations and limiting access to smartphones and laptops are all signs a partner may be using technology as a means of coercive control.
In extreme cases, some perpetrators will resort to creating revenge porn, or more recently with the ride of AI, deep fakes.
If you’re the victim of domestic abuse and need advice about separating from your spouse or partner, our team is here to help.
If you would like to speak with one of our family lawyers, please call us today on 01423 594 680 or visit our website.
