Blue sky thinking brings brighter days to victims
NEWS SUB HEADYY SHOULD ALWAYS BE
BEATEN black and blue and mentally tormented, domestic abuse and harassment victims are often too scared to talk.
However, thanks to the hard work of these Northumbria Police employees, now they don’t have to.
Allan Brown and Neil Hall are behind a free app which helps victims log incidents of domestic abuse in a safe way.
The pair helped to develop the Bright Sky app, which enables users to record incidents without any content being saved on the device itself.
It also provides support and useful steps to consider if leaving an abusive relationship.
Now the first UK smartphone app is a great success - helping thousands of victims to log a journal in secret to support their case.
Allan, a civilian staff member, and Neil, a neighbourhood inspector, got their heads together after Allan met up with Hestia, a domestic abuse charity.
It was a lightbulb moment for him when he was shown their Bright Sky app in its very early stages about four or five years ago and thought he could help them develop it.
After spending decades in community safety roles, Allan realised it could be advanced with the support of the Vodafone Foundation and he and Neil brought the two together - which enabled Hestia to launch the technology nationally.
Once their new Bright Sky app was launched in May, Northumbria Police domestic abuse victims were among the first to benefit.
“This project could have global significance,” said Allan, 60, who is based in Clifford Street station in Byker.
“The Bright Sky app is a covert app you want people to know about but you don’t want the offenders to know people are using it.
“When I met up with Hestia I was shown the Bright Sky app in its very early stages.
“It lacked things but had a great deal of promise.”
Before the app was introduced it was only the most at risk domestic violent victims who were given an alarm to help keep them safe. However, after Allan teamed up with Neil to develop a strategy for Northumbria Police, the app means every domestic abuse victim can be given the support and advice they need.
Allan added: “Neil was trying to solve the problem on how to manage people to protect them better in the 21st century.”
Neil was able to come up with a strategy for Northumbria to offer a service to keep people safe.
He said: “The app can be downloaded by the domestic abuse victim.
“They can keep a secret journal, keep photos and record audio in a record securely elsewhere.
“Even if a friend suspects domestic abuse, they can download the app on someone else’s behalf so they can get the advice and support their friend needs.”
Allan, who has spent 30 years as a police officer before moving to a civilian post 10 years ago, added: “Potentially this is the best thing I have ever been involved in.
“In the future it will be offered to domestic violence victims worldwide.”
Around one in four women will experience domestic violence in one form or another during their lifetime. Last year, an estimated 1.2 million women suffered domestic abuse, according to the Office for National Statistics. Neil said: “It is really important we do all we can. “I introduced TecSOS mobile phones, developed by the Vodafone Foundation, to the force for high-risk victims who need an immediate dial through to 999.
“The Bright Sky app is installed on these phones.
“We want all victims of domestic abuse to feel confident about coming forward and we are committed to using the latest technology to help them do that.”
Bright Sky app is available in English, Urdu, Punjabi or Polish and is free to download on both iOS and Android devices.
Northumbria Police and Crime Commissioner Dame Vera Baird QC, said: “Allan and Neil have done fantastic work on this.
“They are helping develop the way in which we can support victims of domestic abuse and provide a safe and easily accessible way to do it.”
It is an overt app you want people to know about but you don’t want the offenders to know people are using it