The 'Apprehend' icon will always be present on the home screen to allow one touch alarm activation in case of emergencies.
Below is a UX guide for the application.
The app home screen will have the four main actions - Report, Sketch, Alerts and Alarm (this
button has a constant location) - located at the bottom of the screen so that it is easy and quick
to access, even with one hand. The placement is useful especially when the user is caught off
guard and needs to access actions in an instant.
button has a constant location) - located at the bottom of the screen so that it is easy and quick
to access, even with one hand. The placement is useful especially when the user is caught off
guard and needs to access actions in an instant.
Alarm Mode:
The Alarm button activates the emergency mode, triggering loud sounds, bright lights and vibration. This mode pulls up the users picture in case he/she drops the phone and needs rescuing. This is the only place where the user is identified in the application.
Alarm mode can be switched off only by entering your personal safety code.
Report Action:
Users can send real time updates to the network and the police by filing a quick report / case of assault, anonymously.
The intensity of the assault or harassment can be filed accordingly. The target style button in the center is a one touch button to send the report to the network database.
Sketch Action:
Victims or witnesses can provide a quick description of the offenders.
By sending some quick physical characteristics, the user starts the process of helping to identify the offender.
This is where the user fills in the details.
The details are in turn sent to forensic sketch artists, who will prepare detailed portraits / sketches of the offenders.
(This is a portrait used for the purpose of explanation. This is not a real offender. Any resemblance to anyone is a coincidence)
Alert Action:
A GPS based alert system
The alert system will send users notifications as they are nearing high risk zones.
The notification gives details about that particular area. Details such as number of cases reported from that zone, a sketch or image of the leading of the leading offender in that area, and a quick link to the map of the area.
Clicking on the number of cases takes you to a location based case list.
Clicking on any one of the cases will provide you details of the case.
If users are suspicious of someone, they also have a quick link to offender sketches.
Clicking on the sketch will lead them to the offender profile with a larger image and physical characteristics of the offender.
Users can access a map to get on overview of the area they are currently in.
Clicking on the map icon will take them to an area map where the danger zones are highlighted and be further explored.
By clicking on on of the highlights, they are immediately given the number of cases reported in that danger zone.
Clicking on the pop up will take them to a location based case list.
Clicking in any of the cases will take the user to the case details.
Users also have a quick access button to their anonymous profile page.
This page shows them their unique ID number.
'Assists' is where they can see updates on various cases according to the areas they usually pass through and reports they have filed.
Wireframing and UX though process
The problem of sexual assaults is a serious and prevalent one. It is not confined to the poorer countries, but is prevalent even in the most prosperous countries and cities. To add to this problem, the social stigma attached to being the assaulted person is as big a concern as the assault itself. Because of the attached stigma, more than half of the sexual assault cases are never brought to the attention of the police. This in turn allows the perpetrators to remain free and unfortunately creates a vicious cycle of repeated offenses!
To begin combating this problem I had an idea to create an application, which would allow people to anonymously report incidents of sexual assault, whether they are victims or witnesses. The intensity of an attack can range from public harassment to physical abuse. An additional benefit would be the applications supplementary use as an alarm and hotline to the nearest police control room.
The concept aims to create a network database of cases, offenders and the dangerous locations where attacks tend to take place, whether it be a private residence or a public area. An important aspect of the application is that it is completely discreet in order to try and combat the social stigma the victims feel and make them comfortable enough to start sharing, at least the basic details, of their ordeal to help prevent similar incidents in the future.
The data input and collected is then visualized and plotted on maps, to help the police and other people on the network to be aware of the high risk locations and what the perpetrators look like.
The hope with the creation of this concept, titled 'Apprehend', is that it will help people and police to curb the number of sexual assaults that take place and make arrests. Further support is provided by informing people on the network when arrests are made and cases are closed. As the application develops, I hope it also serves as a support platform for the victims to help them overcome their ordeal.
Thank you for watching. I hope to develop this into a real app.
