High Cost Interventions
4. Neighbourhood Network Apps with Integrated Guardian Volunteers
A system combining community safety apps with trained and enrolled guardian volunteers. These volunteers will respond to real-time alerts from women feeling unsafe in nearby public spaces. Women can log their location and concern via the app, triggering a response from a nearby guardian who can escort them or monitor the situation. Core features include SOS alerts with GPS tracking, anonymous reporting/chat, guardian dispatch and virtual escort, Geo-fenced danger zones, integration with local law enforcement. Outcome is increased safety/confidence for women, faster response to threats, reduced isolation and vulnerability in public spaces.
App development £30,000-£100,000
Guardian volunteer training & onboarding £10,000-£25,000
Backend infrastructure & hosting £5,000-£15,000
Markeitng & community engagement £5,000-£20,000
Total £50,000-£160,000
App design & development 3-6 months
Guardian recruitment & training 2-3 months
Pilot testing & feedback 1-2 month
Full rollout 6-12 months
App updates & bug fixes £10,000-£20,000
Guardian coordination & support £5,000-£15,000
Data security & compliance £5,000-£10,000
Annual Maintenance Costs £20,000-£45,000
Effectiveness
While there is minimal UK research evidencing the effectiveness of guardian supported safety apps, they have been shown to be successful overseas. Additionally, in the UK, similar undertaken concepts show value here. Walk and Talk schemes where women walk with PCSOs has increased engagement, reporting, and improved the identification of unsafe spaces. Apps with integrated volunteers could replicate this. Stand-alone apps have been shown to encourage no statistically significant safety improvement, suggesting there is value in complimentary human-based guardianship. However, apps where individuals can be tracked by trusted friends/family, have been found to reduce anxiety. This oversight, coupled with trusted humans, improves feelings of safety. 64% of women avoid certain areas due to fear. Mitigating this fear with human guardians could be empowering.