WASHINGTON — A locally developed smartphone app targeting sexual assault now allows users to notify police and loved ones with the touch of a button.
The new iteration of Ask DC can share alerts and location in an instant.
“It has the ability to immediately dial 911, there’s a panic button, it has the ability for the user to send emergency messages to selected contacts,” said Rachel Friedman, deputy director at Men Can Stop Rape. “That will also include their GPS location.”
The resources are specific to Washington, D.C., but the application works in Maryland and Virginia, as well. “Having that panic button may help with that sense of personal security,” Friedman said.
To date, Ask D.C. has had more than 17,000 users, but developers hope that number spikes with greater options in the latest update.
“I think what is especially unique about this is the ability to immediately notify selected contacts of your location,” Friedman said.
The app comes with pre-filled messages that cover a variety of uncomfortable or dangerous situations. It’s available in eight languages and free to download.
