Family and domestic violence – New smart phone app for people who experience family and domestic violence

A new smart phone app for people who are experiencing domestic violence and family violence  was launched today by NSW Minister for Family and Community Services Pru Goward . Ms Goward said.

“This app is the first of its kind in the world to combine information with access to help services, the ability to create a trusted network of friends who can be easily contacted with an agreed message and a GPS system to ‘call-for-help’ alert recipients of the sender’s location…”

“The app was developed in consultation with the NSW Police Force, with input from experts from the domestic and family violence sector, including the NSW Women’s Refuge Movement.”

Both iPhone and Android versions of the Aurora domestic violence smart phone application are available to download for free the iTunes App Store and Google Play Store.

Claire Naidu & Co, Canberra Family Lawyers,  undertook an app search today and found it under the name “Aurora”.  It has a 5 star rating and had been reviewed by 6 people at the time we looked.

The following description is included to assist users determine whether or not they should download the program:

“Welcome to Aurora, the application from Women NSW, Department of Family and Community Services (FACS). It can help you if you, a friend or a family member are experiencing domestic and family violence or are worried about your relationship. Please note: this application is for your use only. Try to download and access it when you have some time on your own and feel safe from interruptions

If you are in an abusive relationship (or suspect that you might be), please be careful who sees you downloading and using the app or who knows it is on your device “

“SMS MESSAGES

Aurora can send quick individual or group messages to a list of your friends. The app will ask you to put a number of friends into your list the first time you open the Message feature. Choose close, trustworthy friends, who have a genuine concern for you. If possible, choose friends who live nearby and that are aware of your concerns

The SMS messages that Aurora can send are:

Call me
– to let friends know that you need someone to call you right now: perhaps as an interruption, to defuse a situation at home, or because you have a more urgent need.

Come pick me up
– for when you just need to be taken out of the situation, whatever that is. This will include your location from your phone’s GPS system as a map so that your friends can check on their smartphone.

Call the police for me
– to let friends know that you need emergency help, but are not able to speak to Triple Zero 000 yourself. It’s important to be sure your friend is available and is able to call for you.

Custom
– This is a message you can write yourself. There may be a message or a code that you can think of which you want to send to your circle of friends quickly.

EMERGENCY CALLS

Aurora can also make phone calls for you. It won’t be able to play a message, which means you’ll still have to talk or make yourself heard to the person who answers the phone, but it makes getting through to some important numbers quick and easy

Helpline 1800: This will call the NSW Domestic Violence Line: 1800 65 64 63. Trained female caseworkers are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week

The caseworkers have experience with the special needs of Aboriginal women, women from different cultures, rural and remote areas, and same-sex partnerships (both female and male). Interpreters are also available

Call the Police: Your phone will automatically call Emergency Triple Zero (000) after a 5 second countdown during which you can cancel the call if you have pressed the button accidentally. The phone will complete the call on its own if that 5 seconds passes. If you need to, you can press the button, put the phone down, and know that it will make the call for you. Remember, it will not play any message to the operator, it simply connects you to Emergency Triple Zero (000). If you need help immediately, you will have to speak aloud to request police

Exiting Aurora
Finally, to exit quickly – use the home button on your iPhone. To close the App, double click the home button to display any open Apps. Then, hold down on one of the Apps that are displayed and a minus sign will appear to close it.

Everyone has the right to live safely in their own home free from fear and abuse.”

You can use your phone to scan the QR code below to download the Aurora app.

If you require legal advice about family law and/or a matter involving domestic violence, contact Claire Naidu & Co, Family Lawyers and Mediators.  Click here for our contact details.