New app to address abuse

By Sean Feagan, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

A new app could help individuals in abusive relationships covertly develop strategies and seek resources, at a time when such a resource is needed more than ever.

Through a combination of self-isolation measures, economic turmoil and the closure of some support systems, the COVID-19 pandemic has created a “powder keg” for domestic abuse, said Maryam Monsef, federal minister of women and gender equality in an interview with CBC News in April.

In Strathmore, domestic violence reports saw a spike during the first quarter of the year.

“We had 10 (calls) in one weekend,” said Strathmore RCMP Staff Sgt. Dale Morgan during a report to town council on May 6.

While it is unknown if these cases represent a trend caused by the pandemic, the pandemic could cause an uptick in the incidence of domestic violence, said Wanda McGinnis, chief executive officer of the Wheatland Crisis Society, in an interview with the Strathmore Times in April.

“I absolutely think we are going to be hitting a massive crisis in domestic violence reports,” said McGinnis. “Anytime that families are under increased stress, domestic violence rates go up.”

With more people more vulnerable than ever, a new app called MyPlan could help victims of domestic violence assess their situation and seek help – without their partner ever knowing. The app, described as an interactive safety decision aid, was developed through multi-year research studies conducted by Johns Hopkins University School of Nursing.

MyPlan has security features to help keep users safe. Users set a pin so that only they can access the app. If someone is forced to unlock the app, the user can enter 0000 to enter a “safe mode” which provides information about staying organized, rather than relationships. The service also provides strategies to protect users when they are using their phone, to avoid tracking and call monitoring. 

The app is not for emergencies, but rather evaluation; it helps users determine whether a relationship is abusive (has “red flags”), is unsafe (by providing a “danger level”), what their priorities are (concerns for safety, health and well-being) and what measures they want to take. The info provided is private and completely anonymous.

After completing each assessment questionnaire, the app will provide personalized strategies tailored to each user’s own unique situation. These include instructions to develop an emergency plan, protect oneself, access support, find legal help, protect children and understand abuse. The app will also direct the user to personalized resources, such as violence help lines, services and shelters, violence support groups and victim services.

The app is available on the Apple Store and Google Play Store, and is available online via a web browser (https://msurvey.nursing.jhu.edu/myplan/app/www/index.html). 

Users accessing the service via browser are encouraged to clear their browser history or delete the app once they are done with it.