Smartphone Apps Help Prevent Domestic Violence
As spring break is full swing
around the country, many high school and college students will be traveling
with friends. Although spring break is
meant to be a time of rest and relaxation, we’ve all heard the stories of
spring break gone wrong.
Spring break could be the
perfect stage for dating violence.
According to Break the Cycle,
the leading dating abuse prevention program exclusively to young people, one in
three U.S. adolescents experiences abuse from a dating partner. About 70
percent of college students say they have been sexually coerced.
Make sure you and/or the teens
in your life are prepared. Check out
these two free apps that can help.
Love is Not Abuse
The Love is Not Abuse iPhone
app is designed to teach parents about the dangers of teen dating abuse. App users receive text messages, emails and
phone calls in real-time mimicking the controlling, abusive behaviors teens
might face in their relationships. Users will also learn the warning signs, how
dating abuse manifests itself in teen relationships, what steps to take and
more. Learn more at www.loveisnotabuse.com.
Circle of 6
The Circle of 6 app for iPhone and Android makes it quick and
easy to reach the six friends you choose before dating violence happens. Need
help getting home? Need an interruption? Two touches lets you contact friends
to tell them where you are and how they can help. Icons represent actions, so
your potential abuser can’t tell what you’re up to. Although it’s designed for
college students, it could be helpful to anyone. It’s fast, easy-to-use and private. See more
at www.circleof6app.com.
If you find these apps helpful or know of other apps that can
help, let us know! We love finding ways
technology helps us for good.
Stacy Frye Graves is managing editor of The Mary Kay Foundation℠ blog. You can reach her at stacy.graves@me.com or follow her on
Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/stacy_f_graves/mary-kay/.