A Survey of the Mobile Phone-Based Interventions for Violence Prevention Among Women
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.18060/22526Keywords:
violence prevention, women, Cellphone-based, ICT, Information Communication Technologies, health, social work practiceAbstract
Information Communication Technologies (ICT), particularly mobile phone technology, has increased the propinquity between individuals by enhancing their ability to frequently communicate with one another through different mediums, like text, audio, video, and emojis. Cell phone technology is being used to combat various social issues, including several public health-related problems such as violence against women. Over the past two decades several cellphone-based apps, including Circle of 6, MyPlan, Panic Button, and Aspire News have been developed in several countries to prevent violence against women. Anecdotal evidence suggests that these apps are effective both as violence prevention and as an intervention tool in public as well as private spaces. However, very little awareness exists among social workers about these mobile phone applications (apps), particularly the capabilities and limitations of these apps. Based on a brief survey and classification of the existing mobile phone apps designed to prevent violence against women, this paper aims to explain how these apps work, and point out their capabilities and limitations so that social workers and public health professionals can better guide their clients in using these technology-based services. It is highly recommended that social workers evaluate how their clients are affected by the use or non-use of violence prevention apps and advocate for their client’s right to digital literacy and internet access.
References
Aguirre, T. P. R., McCoy, K. M., & Roan, M. (2013). Development guidelines from a study of suicide prevention mobile applications (Apps). Journal of Technology in Human Services, 31, 269-293. doi: https://doi.org/10.1080/15228835.2013.814750
Alhusen, J., Bloom. T., Clough, A., & Glass N. (2015). Development of the MyPlan safety decision app with friends of college women in abusive dating relationships, Journal of Technology in Human Services, 33(3), 263-282.
doi: https://doi.org/10.1080/15228835.2015.1037414
Amnesty International. (2016). Panic button App. Retrieved from https://panicbutton.io/
bSafe. (2016). bSafe: Never walk alone. Retrieved from https://getbsafe.com/
Birdsey, E., & Snowball, L. (2013). Reporting violence to police: A survey of victims attending domestic violence services (Crime and Justice Statistics Bureau Brief Issue Paper No. 91). Sydney: NSW Bureau of Crime Statistics and Research. Retrieved from https://www.women.nsw.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0004/280912/Reporting_Violence_to_the_Police_-_BOCSAR_survey.pdf
Brathwaite, R. (2012, December). 16 Tech Innovations that Help the Movement to Prevent and Stop Violence Against Women. The Pixel Project’s “16 for 16” Campaign. Retrieved from http://16days.thepixelproject.net/16-tech-innovations-that-help-the-movement-to-prevent-and-stop-violence-against-women/
Choo, E. K., Byington, C. L., Johnson, N.-L., & Jagsi, R. (2019). From #MeToo to #TimesUp in health care: can a culture of accountability end inequity and harassment? Lancet (London, England), 393(10171), 499-502. doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/S0140-6736(19)30251-X
Circle of 6. (2016). Retrieved from http://www.circleof6app.com/
Collins, P. (1999). Black feminist thought. New York. Routledge
Craig, S. L., & Lorenzo, M. V. C. (2014). Can information and communication technologies support patient engagement? A review of opportunities and challenges in health social work. Social work in health care, 53(9), 845-864.
doi: https://doi.org/10.1080/00981389.2014.936991
Cumiskey, M. K., & Brewster, K. (2012). Mobile phones or pepper spray? Imagined mobile intimacy as a weapon of self-defense for women. Feminist Media Studies, 12(4), 590-599. doi: https://doi.org/10.1080/14680777.2012.741893
Dean, A. L., Makin, J. D., Kydd, A. S., Biriotti, M., & Forsyth, B. W. (2012). A pilot study using interactive SMS support groups to prevent mother-to-child HIV transmission in South Africa. Journal of Telemedicine and Telecare, 18(7), 399-403. doi: https://doi.org/10.1258/jtt.2012.120118
Dimond, P. J., Dye, M., LaRose, D., & Bruckman, S. A. (2013). Hollaback! The role of collective storytelling online in a social movement organization. Paper presented at the Making the World a Better place, 2013 Conference on Computer Supported Cooperative Work (CSCW), San Antonio, TX. Retrieved from https://dl.acm.org/citation.cfm?id=2441831
Dimond, J. P., Fiesler, C., & Bruckman, A. (2011). Domestic violence and information communication technologies. Interacting with Computers, 23, 413-421.
doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.intcom.2011.04.006
Distimo Analytics. (2012). The impact of App translations (Monthly Webinar Report). Retrieved from https://www.slideshare.net/distimo/distimo-month-report-webinar-october-2012
Document the Abuse. (2016). Evidentiary abuse affidavit app. Retrieved from http://documenttheabuse.com/
Eden, K., Perrin, N., Hanson, G., Messing, J., Bloom, T., Campbell, J., … Glass, N. (2014). Use of online safety decision aid by abused women: Effect on decisional conflict in a randomized controlled trial. American Journal of Preventive Medicine, 48(4), 372-383. doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.amepre.2014.09.027
Felson, R. B., Messner, S. F., Hoskin, A. W., & Deane, G. (2002). Reasons for reporting and not reporting domestic violence to the police. Criminology, 40(3), 617-647. doi: https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1745-9125.2002.tb00968.x
Glass, N., Clough, A., Case, J., Hanson, G., Waterbury, A., Barnes-Hoyt, J., ….. Perrin, N. (2015). A safety app to respond to dating violence for college women and their friends: The MyPlan study randomized controlled trial protocol. BMC Public Health, 15, 871, pp. 1-13. doi: https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-015-2191-6
Glass, N., Eden, B. K., Bloom, T., & Perrin, N. (2010). Computerized Aid Improves Safety Decisions Process for Survivors of Intimate Partner Violence. Journal of Interpersonal Violence, 25(11), 1947-1964. doi: https://doi.org/10.1177/0886260509354508
Glass, N., Perrin, N., Hanson, G., Bloom, T., Messing, J., Clough, A., ….Eden, K. (2017). The longitudinal impact of an internet safety decision aid for abused women. American Journal of Preventive Medicine, 52(5), 606-615. doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.amepre.2016.12.014
Hague, C. (2010). “It’s Not Chalk and Talk Anymore”: School approaches to developing students’ digital literacy. Retrieved April 3, 2019, from NFER website: https://www.nfer.ac.uk/its-not-chalk-and-talk-anymore-school-approaches-to-developing-students-digital-literacy/
HarassMap. (2012). Brief: First Annual Report. December 2010-March 2012. Retreived from https://s3-eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/harassmap/media/uploaded-files/HarassMap-Report-English-Brief-Final.pdf
HarassMap. (2015). Report Harassment. Retrieved from https://harassmap.org/en/
Hawkins, J. W., Pearce, C. W., Skeith, J., Dimitruk, B., & Roche, R. (2009). Using technology to expedite screening and intervention for domestic abuse and neglect. Public Health Nursing, 26(1), 58-69. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1525-1446.2008.00754.x
Heerde, J. A., & Hemphill, S. A. (2019). Associations between individual-level characteristics and exposure to physically violent behavior among young people experiencing homelessness: A meta-analysis. Aggression and Violent Behavior, 47, 46-57. doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.avb.2019.03.002
Henry, N., & Powell, A. (2015). Beyond the ‘sext’: Technology-facilitated sexual violence and harassment against adult women. Australian & New Zealand Journal of Criminology, 48(1), 104-118. doi: https://doi.org/10.1177/0004865814524218
Henry, N., & Powell, A. (2016). Sexual violence in the digital age: The scope and limits of criminal law. Social & Legal Studies, 25(4), 397-418.
doi: https://doi.org/10.1177/0964663915624273
hooks, b. (2000). Feminism is for everybody: Passionate politics. Cambridge, MA: South End Press.
Hollaback! (2016). Take action. Retrieved from https://www.ihollaback.org/take-action/
Hostler, J. M., & O’Neil, M. (2018, April 17). Reframing sexual violence: From #MeToo to Time’s Up. Stanford Social Innovation Review: Informing and Inspiring Leaders of Change. Retrieved from https://ssir.org/articles/entry/reframing_sexual_violence_from_metoo_to_times_up
Ingersoll, K., Dillingham, R., Reynolds, G., Hettema, J., Freeman, J., Hosseinbor, S., & Winstead-Derlega, C. (2014). Development of a personalized bidirectional text messaging tool for HIV adherence assessment and intervention among substance abusers. Journal of Substance Abuse Treatment, 46(1), 66-73.
doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jsat.2013.08.002
Jones, J. (2014, June 1). 4 free apps to help college women feel safe. USA Today. Retrieved from https://www.usatoday.com/story/college/2014/06/01/4-free-apps-to-help-college-women-feel-safer/37391545/
Kalra, G., & Bhugra, D. (2013). Sexual violence against women: Understanding cross-cultural intersections. Indian Journal of Psychiatry, 55(3), 244-249.
doi: https://doi.org/10.4103/0019-5545.117139
Kwon, H., Cho, J., Kim, H., Lee, J. H., Song, B. R., Oh, J. A.,. .…Yoon, K. H. (2004). Development of web-based diabetic patient management system using short message service (SMS). Diabetes Research and Clinical Practice, 66, S133-S137.
doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.diabres.2003.10.028
Levine, D., McCright, J., Dobkin, L., Woodruff, J. A., Klausner, D. J. (2008). SEXINFO: A sexual health text messaging service for San Francisco Youth. American Journal of Public Health, 98, (3), 393-395. doi: https://doi.org/10.2105/AJPH.2007.110767
Lindsay, M., Messing, J. M., Thaller, J., Baldwin, A., Clough, A., Bloom, T., Eden, B. K., & Glass, N. (2013). Survivor feedback on a safety decision aid smartphone application for college-age women in abusive relationships, Journal of Technology in Human Services, 31(4), 368-388.
doi: https://doi.org/10.1080/15228835.2013.861784
Livingston, B., Wagner, K. C., Diaz, S., & Liu, A. (Eds.). (2012). The experience of being targets of street harassment in NYC: Preliminary findings from a qualitative study of a sample of 223 voices who Hollaback! Worker Institute at Cornell University and Hollaback! Retrieved from https://www.ihollaback.org/fact-sheet-the-experience-of-being-targets-of-street-harassment-in-nyc/
Lopez, A. (2014). Social work, technology, and ethical Practices: A review and evaluation of the National Association of Social Worker’s Technology Standards, Social Work in Health Care, 53, 9, 815-833.
doi: https://doi.org/10.1080/00981389.2014.943454
Mancini, F., & O’Reilly, M. (2013). New Technology and the Prevention of Violence and Conflict. Stability: International Journal of Security & Development,2 (3), 1-9,55 doi: http://doi.org/10.5334/sta.cp
Mangone, R. E., Lebrun, V., & Muessig, E. K. (2016). Mobile phone Apps for the prevention of unintended pregnancy: A systematic review and content analysis, JMIR mhealth and uhealth, 4(1), e6. doi: https://doi.org/10.2196/mhealth.4846
Martinez-Pecino, R., &Durán, M. (2016). I love you but I cyberbully you: The role of hostile sexism. Journal of Interpersonal Violence. 34(4), 812-825.
doi: https://doi.org/10.1177/0886260516645817
Mason, C., & Magnet, S. (2012). Surveillance studies and violence against women. Surveillance & Society, 10 (2), 105-118. doi: https://doi.org/10.24908/ss.v10i2.4094
Mbuagbaw, L., Thabane, L., Ongolo-Zogo, P., Lester, R. T., Mills, E. J., Smieja, M., & Kouanfack, C. (2012). The Cameroon mobile phone SMS (CAMPS) trial: A randomized trial of text messaging versus usual care for adherence to antiretroviral therapy. PloS ONE, 7(12), e46909 [pp. 1-7]. doi: https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0046909
Murray, C., Nemati, H., White, J., Chow, A., & Pow, A. (2015). Domestic violence service providers’ needs and perceptions of technology: A qualitative study. Journal of Technology in Human Services, 33(2), 133-155.
doi: https://doi.org/10.1080/15228835.2014.1000558
National Association of Social Workers [NASW]. (2017a). Code of Ethics of the National Association of Social Workers, Washington, DC. National Association of Social Workers.
NASW. (2017b). NASW, ASWB, CSWE & CSWA Standards for Technology in Social Work Practice. Washington, DC: Author. Retrieved from https://www.socialworkers.org/LinkClick.aspx?fileticket=lcTcdsHUcng%3D&portalid=0
Obermayer, L., J.,William, T, R., Ofer, A., & Jersino, J. M. (2004).College smoking-cessation using cell phone text messaging, Journal of American College Health, 53(2), 71-78. doi: https://doi.org/10.3200/JACH.53.2.71-78
Overstreet, N. M., & Quinn, D. M. (2013). The Intimate Partner Violence Stigmatization Model and Barriers to Help-Seeking. Basic and Applied Social Psychology, 35(1), 109-122. doi: https://doi.org/10.1080/01973533.2012.746599
Parrott L., & Madoc-Jones I. (2008). Reclaiming information and communications technology for empowering social work practice. Journal of Social Work, 8(2), 181-197. doi: https://doi.org/10.1177/1468017307084739
Peddle, K. (2007). Telehealth in context: Socio-technical barriers to telehealth use in Labrador, Canada. Computer Supported Cooperative Work (CSCW), 16(6), 595-614. doi: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10606-006-9030-3
Perron, B. E., Taylor, H. O., Glass, J. E., & Margerum-Leys, J. (2010). Information and communication technologies in social work. Advances in Social Work, 11(2), 67-81.
Peuchaud, S. (2014). Social media activism and Egyptians' use of social media to combat sexual violence: An HiAP case study, Health Promotion International, 29 (1), i113-i120. doi: https://doi.org/10.1093/heapro/dau046
Puccio, A. J., Belzer, M., Olson, J., Martinez, M., Salata, C., Tucker, D., & Tanaka, D. (2006). The use of cell phone reminder calls for assisting HIV-infected adolescents and young adults to adhere to highly active antiretroviral therapy: A Pilot Study. AIDS Patient Care and STDs, 20(6), 438-444.
doi: https://doi.org/10.1089/apc.2006.20.438
Ramsey, A. T., & Montgomery, K. (2014). Technology-based interventions in social work practice: A systematic review of mental health interventions. Social Work in Health Care, 53(9), 883-899. doi: https://doi.org/10.1080/00981389.2014.925531
Robbins, P. S., Coe Regan, J. A., Williams, H. J., Smyth, J. N., & Bogo, M.(2016) From the Editor—The future of social work education, Journal of Social Work Education, 52(4), 387-397. doi: https://doi.org/10.1080/10437797.2016.1218222
Rochlen, A. B., Zack, J. S., & Speyer, C. (2004). Online therapy: Review of relevant definitions, debates, and current empirical support. Journal of clinical psychology, 60(3), 269-283. doi: https://doi.org/10.1002/jclp.10263
Rodgers, A., Corbett, T., Bramley, D., Riddell, T., Wills, M., Lin, R. B., & Jones, M. (2005). Do you smoke after txt? Results of a randomized trial of smoking cessation using mobile phone text messaging. Tobacco control, 14(4), 255-261.
doi: https://doi.org/10.1136/tc.2005.011577
Rodrigues R., Shet A., Antony J., Sidney K., Arumugam K., Krishnamurthy, S.,… DeCosta, A. (2012). Supporting adherence to antiretroviral therapy with mobile phone reminders: Results from a cohort in south India. PLoS ONE, 7(8), e40723 [pp. 1-7]. doi: https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0040723
Rosenthal, L. (2013). Eliminate violence against women and girls? There’s an app for that. Science Progress. Retrieved from https://scienceprogress.org/2013/03/eliminate-violence-against-women-and-girls-worldwide-there%E2%80%99s-an-app-for-that/
Ross, W. (2011). Ethical issues involved in online counseling. Journal of Psychological Issues in Organizational Culture, 2(1), 54-66. https://doi.org/10.1002/jpoc.20047
Santhiveeran, J. (2009). Compliance of social work e-therapy websites to the NASW code of ethics. Social Work in Health Care, 48(1), 1-13.
doi: https://doi.org/10.1080/00981380802231216
Shaw, H. E., & Shaw, S. F. (2006). Critical ethical issues in online counseling: Assessing current practices with an ethical intent checklist. Journal of Counseling & Development, 84(1), 41-53. doi: https://doi.org/10.1002/j.1556-6678.2006.tb00378.x
Shaw, S., & Lee, J. (2014). Women’s voices, feminist visions. New York, NY: McGraw Hill.
Vidrine, D. J., Arduino, R. C., Lazev, A. B., & Gritz, E. R. (2006). A randomized trial of a proactive cellular telephone intervention for smokers living with HIV/AIDS. AIDS, 20(2), 253-260. doi: https://doi.org/10.1097/01.aids.0000198094.23691.58
Walls, N. E., Atteberry-Ash, B., Kattari, S. K., Peitzmeier, S., Kattari, L., & Langenderfer-Magruder, L. (2019). Gender Identity, Sexual Orientation, Mental Health, and Bullying as Predictors of Partner Violence in a Representative Sample of Youth. Journal of Adolescent Health, 64(1), 86-92.
doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jadohealth.2018.08.011
Westmarland, N., Hardey, M., Bows, H., Branley, D., Chowdhury, M., Wheatley, K., & Wistow, R. (2013). Protecting women’s safety? The use of smartphone ‘apps’ in relation to domestic and sexual violence. Society for Applied Social Sciences, Durham University, Research Briefing, Issue No 12. Retrieved from https://www.dur.ac.uk/resources/sass/research/briefings/ResearchBriefing12-ProtectingWomensSafety.pdf
Women Under Siege. (2015). Women’s media center’s: Documenting sexualized violence in Syria. Submit a New Report. Retrieved from https://womenundersiegesyria.crowdmap.com/reports/submit
Young, C. (2014). HarassMap: Using crowdsourced data to map sexual harassment in Egypt. Technology Innovation Management Review, 4, 7-13.
doi: https://doi.org/10.22215/timreview/770
Zraick, K. (2010, November 7). New phone apps aim to combat harassment. Retrieved from The New York Times: https://www.nytimes.com/2010/11/08/nyregion/08hollaback.html
