App provides sexual violence info to students
21 August, 2015
category: Mobile
Indiana State University has launched a new app devoted to informing and preventing sexual assault on campus. The app follows the university’s “It’s on Blue,” campaign that is aimed at preventing sexual assault.
Per a report from Indiana State University, the smartphone app is designed to guide students in responding to an assault, should one occur. A summer undergraduate research experience project was the brains behind the new app and describes it as a preventative and informative resource.
The app covers the topic of sexual assault into nine distinct sections: What to do, how to report to police, how to report to ISU directly, confidential assistance, safety tips, consent, responsible employees, Terre Haute resources — where Indiana State is located — and campus-only resources.
The app was rigorously tested and approved by various university departments before completion. The project leveraged expertise from ISU’s general counsel, Syc Creations — a university video and graphic production department — the electronics and computer engineering department and the IT department. In conjunction with the app, Syc Creations produced an informational video addressing the topic of consensual sex.
Since the information is specific to the university, students can get clear, relevant information on the services and courses of action available to them. Much of the pertinent info comprised within the app includes phone numbers for key resources associated with ISU and the Terre Haute community, specific people that can be of assistance, and addresses for offices that student can visit in times of need. Also included in the app is generic information that details consent and general guidelines should be followed.
The app also features “hot buttons” that enable users to instantly call a number by touching an image, which could be useful in cases of impairment. The “It’s on BLUE” app is available for download for Android, iOS, and non-dialing tablets.
