New apps join the fight against domestic violence

TEARS, a registered non-profit organisation that uses innovative technology in the fight against domestic violence, sexual assault and child abuse, is aiming to promote positive change in societal values and attitudes.

Founded in 2012 by businesswoman Mara Glennie, herself a survivor of abuse, Tears has put together a unique programme to help victims of rape and sexual abuse, providing free national access to crisis intervention, advocacy, counselling and preventative education services.

Tears provides free 24-hour access to information about where to find medical, legal and psychological support for victims of rape and sexual abuse.

“Tears seeks to create awareness to facilitate the transformation of attitudes and values, so that abuse of any kind becomes unacceptable in our society. With South Africa being dubbed ‘the rape capital of the world’, TEARS’ innovative projects strive to address the scourge of rape and abuse crippling our country with initiatives such as ‘Help At Your Fingertips’ and their ‘The Medi-App’,” said Glennie.

The Help At Your Fingertips (*134*7355#) is a mobile phone portal linked to a database of service providers. ‘Help At Your Fingertips’ dispenses information via any mobile device using simple prompt-based technology. It tracks the location of the caller/victim and “instantly” (in approximately 45 seconds), sends back details of the three nearest care facilities, thus providing immediate support to victims of rape and sexual assault. In the past 12 months, they have assisted over 30 800 victims of rape and abuse.

Many abusers take their victims to different facilities for medical treatment to avoid raising suspicion by medical staff. The Medical Information Access Project (Medi-App) allows for medical professionals to electronically record and determine whether a patient (trial is for children U12) has had any suspicious injuries at other institutions using a cloud-based application. This project is focused on helping health care professionals identify and record suspected repeated abuse which will eventually lead to reductions in gender-based violence and child abuse.

“It is my hope that all corporations and companies in South Africa include the fight against Sexual and Domestic Violence in their CSI budgeting and look at how the cost of this scourge directly affects their bottom line,” said Glennie.

For more information contact charlene@tears.co.za .

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