South Australian digital developers and entrepreneurs will compete to design the best high-tech tools to help protect domestic victims, starting next month.

“Violence against women in all its forms – be it physical, emotional, psychological, sexual or financial – is at shocking levels in our community,” said Premier Jay Weatherill.

“We need to look at new ways of addressing both the attitudes towards women that lead to these acts, as well as the devastating consequences.

“This challenge will allow our best and brightest to hear from women who have experienced violence and the people who support victims of violence, and ask them to design innovative solutions that can help us make a difference.”

The SA and Federal governments have agreed to jointly fund the D3 Digital Challenge, with a $60,000 grant available to the winning designer.

The governments are looking for digital tools to enable police, government services and support networks better assist victims of domestic violence and to challenge social attitudes that perpetuate violence against women.

Entrants into the competition will attend workshops with victims of domestic violence to help inform their designs.

Federal Social Services Minister Christian Porter said digital innovation was a necessary tool to help reduce the problem of domestic violence in Australia.

“We need to explore new options for protecting women,” Porter said.

“It is a terrible fact that one in six Australian women has experienced violence from a current or former partner, so these types of practical paths to innovation are very welcome.

“The Digital Challenge is an open process designed to encourage and reward innovation that will have a positive, practical effect on those who are at risk of domestic violence.”

An information session will be held at Flinders University on Victoria Square on November 10.