Funding for Adelaide anti-violence apps
Domestic violence is being brought out of the shadows and challenged on many fronts – and some innovative Adelaide developers have been funded to produce apps to add to the anti-violence effort.
Last night three winning pitches were awarded a share of $60,000 in the government-funded 3D Digital Challenge.
On group, “Technology for Women’s Safety”, will receive $15,000 to develop a prototype phone diary app.
Team leader Brad Scrivens said the app would enable women in violent domestic situations to monitor incidents in diary form.
“What we’re trying to do is get to the cycle [of domestic violence] early before things get bad,” he said.
Other recipients were ASMS Innovators, a group of year 10 and 11 students from the Australian Science and Mathematics School, for their “Choose Your Own Adventure” app pitch.
The app is geared towards helping young South Australians understand the consequences of different behavioural decisions.
Cartland Law was chosen for its Automated Legal Information Research Assistant pitch – a Siri-like program that can empower women with information on domestic violence law.
SA Minister for the Status of Women Gail Gago said all South Australians needed to work together to send a clear message that violence against women would not be tolerated.
“While there are already a range of programs in place to support women who are either at risk, or have been victims of violence, we need to strive to find innovative ways to end this scourge,” she said.
“Through the D3 Digital Challenge, entrepreneurs hear from members of the community with first-hand knowledge of the issue before developing their own digital solutions.
“Each team taking part in this round of the challenge is to be commended for their commitment to ending violence against women, and I congratulate all of the winning entries for their creative approach to this very serious issue.”
Federal Social Services Minister Christian Porter said the D3 Digital Challenge for keeping women safe was part of a $12 million technology trials and the Commonwealth Government’s $100 million Women’s Safety Package.
“I congratulate not only the winners of the D3 Digital Challenge, but also the ICT sector for its strong support of this project.
“It reminds us that we can all play a part in reducing violence against women and their children.
“One in six Australian women has experienced violence from a current or former partner.
“We are finally seeing all sorts of communities saying ‘enough’.”
