StandbyU Foundation's Chris Boyle, alongside Gary Poole from Act for Kids, was invited to speak with 7NEWS about the results of a recent Federal Government trial of the StandbyU Shield with 100 Gold Coast women.
The StandbyU Shield brings together the person at risk's friends, family and case workers into a support network and keeps them connected through smart watches. This means help from people who care about the person in need is always only the click of a button away.
The trial results were overwhelmingly positive, with all respondents saying they would recommend the solution to others at risk of domestic abuse. It found that feeling connected significantly increased both physical safety and the feeling of being safe and supported.
If you'd like to find out more, or enquire about a StandbyU Shield for you, a friend, family member or client, you can contact us here.
Video transcript
[Kendall Gilding] Smart watches could be the answer to reducing family violence. Victims can now contact their support networks discreetly, following a world-first trial on the Gold Coast.
[Josh Adsett] With the touch of a button, help is at hand.
[Gary Poole] It's recording exactly what's going on.
[Josh Adsett] For those at risk of family violence, time is critical. And now this smart watch can connect victims with their support networks.
[Chris Boyle] Sending out all of those calls and those messages in record time, to the right people, so they can get the right response.
[Josh Adsett] Automatically contacting a case manager, as well as other friends or family.
[Chris Boyle] And if need be, they can escalate that call directly through to emergency services.
[Josh Adsett] It's also keeping the perpetrators accountable.
[Gary Poole] Many men want help, and they actually want some assistance to stop the behaviours that they're doing.
[Josh Adsett] A world-first trial has been underway on the Gold Coast. 100 women took part, sending over 3,000 alerts in 12 months. Only one of those resulted in a call to police.
The smart watch is freeing up resources. The device is worth $2,000, around the same amount as a single call-out for emergency services.
[Chris Boyle] It's the people and the plan which matters, the technology just brings all of that together.
[Josh Adsett] Safeguarding our most vulnerable.
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