Why do we only address the aftermath?
This question kept echoing in my mind after hearing about the tragic case of a 31-year-old doctor who was raped in her own workplace — a place where she should have felt safest. The details of this horrific incident left me not only disgusted but profoundly troubled. In a country where a doctor’s apron symbolizes dedication and selfless service, this time it was drenched in blood due to the unspeakable violence inflicted upon her. The response of the hospital administration was even more shocking: rather than seeking justice or supporting the victim’s family, they reportedly destroyed CCTV footage under the guise of renovation and attempted to cover up the heinous act by suggesting her death was a suicide. The parents of this young doctor were left with nothing but unanswered questions and a deep, irreparable void.
This is not an isolated incident; it is a stark reminder of the systemic failure to protect and deliver justice to victims of sexual abuse.
As a UX designer, I refuse to accept this as the norm. We live in an age where technology has the potential to save lives, yet we are still grappling with solutions that are reactive rather than proactive. This incident, and countless others like it, have motivated me to explore how we can use design and technology to offer immediate assistance and protection to women who find themselves in dangerous situations.
My research into existing safety apps revealed a sobering reality: most solutions available are designed to help women after they have already become victims. These apps offer support, resources, and counseling, which are undeniably crucial, but there is a glaring gap when it comes to real-time intervention and prevention of such horrifying incidents. Women in the midst of a crisis need not only a way to discreetly signal for help, gather evidence, and alert authorities but also a mechanism to quickly mobilize nearby individuals who can intervene.
This led me to conceptualize a UX design solution that acts as a lifeline and a preventive measure. By discreetly activating the app, it can send out a silent alert to other app users in the vicinity, effectively calling for help without escalating the danger. Additionally, the app can emit a loud siren or signal, drawing attention to the situation and potentially scaring off the perpetrators. This dual approach — discreetly alerting authorities and nearby users while also signaling for help — can help prevent the incident from escalating, making it more likely for the attacker to be caught and the victim to be saved.
Identifying the Problem
The Constraints on Women’s Freedom
The tragic incident of the doctor is not just a failure of our systems to protect but a reflection of how society views women’s independence and safety. Here are some of the key issues women face every day:
Constant Vigilance Over Appearance and Behavior: Women are often made to feel that they should dress modestly or “appropriately” to avoid unwanted attention. This pressure implies that their safety is contingent upon their attire, reinforcing the notion that they are responsible for the actions of others.
Restrictions on Movement: Many women feel they must avoid going out late at night or traveling alone to stay safe. This societal expectation limits their independence and freedom to live their lives on their terms. Why do we celebrate the 4th of July or the 15th of August if we are not truly free? These are supposed to be symbols of independence, yet women are still constrained by fear and societal norms.
Expectations to Carry Self-Defense Tools: The notion that women should always carry something to protect themselves, such as pepper spray or a personal alarm, suggests that the burden of safety falls on the individual rather than the community or system. It is a stark reminder that women are often left to fend for themselves in moments of crisis.
Constant Check-Ins with Family: Many women feel the need to keep their family members or close friends constantly updated about their whereabouts and activities to ensure someone knows where they are in case something happens. While this practice stems from a concern for safety, it also highlights a lack of trust in public spaces and systems to provide adequate security.
These societal pressures not only perpetuate a culture of fear but also place an unfair and unrealistic burden on women to ensure their safety. The issue at hand is not just about providing support after an incident but creating a society where women feel genuinely safe and independent.
The Need for Real-Time Intervention
Beyond Post-Incident Support
While many safety apps offer support, resources, and counseling for victims of assault, there is a glaring gap in real-time intervention and prevention. The existing solutions focus on providing help after an incident has occurred, but what about those critical moments during an assault when a woman needs immediate assistance?
Immediate Assistance and Prevention
In a crisis, women need a discreet and effective way to signal for help, gather evidence, and alert authorities without drawing attention to themselves. But they also need a solution that can potentially prevent an incident from escalating. The app I am proposing aims to fill this gap by offering:
Silent Alerts to Nearby Users: The app can send a silent alert to other app users in the vicinity, mobilizing help from nearby individuals without alerting the attacker. This feature can create a network of immediate support, increasing the chances of intervention and safety.
Loud Sirens or Signals: In addition to discreet alerts, the app can emit a loud siren or signal to draw attention to the situation and potentially help. This dual approach ensures that help is on the way while also making it harder for the attackers to continue their actions.
By focusing on both immediate intervention and prevention, this app aims to empower women to live their lives without the constant fear of violence and assault. It is a step towards creating a world where women can feel truly independent and safe, regardless of their attire, location, or time of day.
UX Case Study
Overview
In response to the urgent need for a real-time safety solution for women, I embarked on a UX case study to design an app that could serve as a lifeline during a crisis. The goal was to create a user-friendly and efficient tool that would enable women to quickly and discreetly seek help, gather evidence, and alert authorities without escalating the danger.
Objectives
Empower Women to Feel Safe Anywhere: Whether in an area with network coverage or without, the app is designed to provide women with a sense of security and support. Leveraging satellite support, the app ensures that help can be reached even in remote or network-constrained areas during an emergency.
Discreet Activation: Users can activate the app with a pre-selected gesture, ensuring it can be used quickly and discreetly during a crisis without drawing attention to the user or escalating the danger.
Comprehensive Emergency Response: Once activated, the app initiates several actions:
GPS Location Tracking: The app sends the user’s GPS location to their listed emergency contacts and local authorities, facilitating a swift response.
Audio and Video Recording: The app immediately starts recording the surrounding audio and video, gathering crucial evidence to aid in legal proceedings.
Alarm Notifications: The app sends an alarm to other users within a one-mile radius, alerting them to the incident and prompting them to assist or call 911.
Plan of Action: The app provides a step-by-step guide to users on how to respond to the alarm, including instructions to contact authorities and notify the victim’s workplace or school if necessary.
Tracking Perpetrator Information: The app utilizes GPS and available technology to gather information about the assailant, including phone numbers, addresses, and any other personally identifiable information (PII) that can assist law enforcement.
Proactive Community Involvement: By notifying nearby users, the app aims to foster a community of proactive responders who can assist in real-time, increasing the likelihood of the perpetrator being caught and the victim receiving timely help.
User Persona
To better understand the needs and challenges faced by potential users, I developed a user persona:
Methods
To gain insights into the real-world challenges faced by women and identify potential features for the app, I employed the following UX research methods:
Interviews and Surveys: I conducted interviews and surveys with women from diverse backgrounds to understand their safety concerns and expectations from a real-time safety app. The participants included working professionals, students, and homemakers.
Focus Groups: I organized focus group discussions with women to explore their experiences with existing safety apps and gather feedback on the proposed app features.
Competitive Analysis: I analyzed the features and limitations of existing safety apps to identify gaps in the market and areas for improvement.
Interview and Survey Findings
Interviews
Participants:
10 women, ages 20–35, from diverse backgrounds and locations
Key Findings:
Concerns About Safety:
Fear of Attack: Most participants expressed a strong fear of being attacked, especially when alone or in poorly lit areas.
Discreet Solutions: Participants emphasized the need for discreet safety solutions that don’t attract attention.
2. Current Safety Measures:
Self-Defense Tools: Many women use self-defense tools like pepper spray or carry personal alarms but expressed frustration with their limitations.
Family Tracking: Some use location-sharing features with family or friends but feel uncomfortable with the constant check-ins.
3. App Preferences:
Recording Features: Participants valued features that could capture evidence, such as audio and video recording, during an emergency.
Real-Time Alerts: A majority preferred apps that could send real-time alerts to trusted contacts and authorities.
4. Privacy Concerns:
Data Security: Women are concerned about their privacy and data security. They want assurances that their information will be used only for emergencies and protected from unauthorized access.
5. Usability:
Ease of Use: The app should be simple to use, with intuitive features that can be activated quickly in stressful situations.
6 . Quotes:
“I need something that won’t draw attention but will let me get help if I need it.”
“Privacy is a big issue for me. I want to be sure my data isn’t misused.”
Surveys
Participants:
100 women, ages 20–35, from various urban and suburban areas
Key Findings:
Safety App Usage:
Current Use: 60% of respondents use safety apps, but many are dissatisfied with their effectiveness and features.
Desired Features: 85% of respondents wanted real-time alert features, and 70% wanted recording capabilities.
2. Emergency Situations:
Likelihood of Use: 50% of women have been in situations where they felt unsafe, and 40% had wished for better tools or solutions during these times.
3. Privacy:
Data Handling: 75% are concerned about how their data is handled and prefer apps that provide clear privacy policies and data protection measures.
4. Feature Prioritization:
Top Features: Real-time location sharing (90%), emergency alerts (85%), audio and video recording (80%), and discreet activation (70%).
Focus Group Findings
Participants:
4 focus groups, each with 6–8 women, aged 20–35
Key Findings:
Emergency Response:
Need for Immediate Assistance: There was a consensus that existing solutions often fail to provide immediate help. Participants want an app that can quickly alert nearby users and authorities.
2. Discreet Activation:
Importance of Stealth: Participants stressed the need for a discreet way to activate emergency features. They suggested options like a hidden button or a specific gesture.
3. Evidence Collection:
Value of Recording: Many participants agreed that capturing audio and video evidence could be crucial in documenting an incident and aiding in prosecution.
4. Community Involvement:
Alert Nearby Users: Participants appreciated the idea of alerting other app users nearby. This feature could potentially deter attackers if they know others are aware of the situation.
5. Integration with Authorities:
Effective Communication: There was a need for the app to have a reliable way to communicate with authorities, ensuring that emergency services are promptly notified.
Competitive Analysis
Design
Information Architecture
Wireframe Process:
Based on the research, I sketched initial ideas and created low-fidelity prototypes to explore possible solutions. These early designs focused on creating an easy-to-use interface with a primary focus on emergency alerts, location sharing, and discreet action triggers.
Key Screens:
Registration: Users enter personal details, select up to 10 emergency contacts, and choose personalized alert actions.
Home Screen: A simple interface with a central SOS button for triggering alerts.
Alert Activation: Discreet alerting options, such as shaking the phone or pressing a volume button.
Emergency Contacts: The ability for user to add upto 10 emergency contacts and allowing them to send a link to download the app too.
Testing the App: The ability for a user to test all the actions without actually being in trouble.
Design Decisions:
Single-Tap SOS Activation: Users can trigger alerts with minimal friction, ensuring faster response times.
Customizable Alert Modes: Options for triggering the alert in different ways (tap, shake, or press a button) to suit various emergency scenarios.
Real-Time Location Sharing: Ensures that emergency contacts are always informed of the user’s whereabouts, reducing response time.
Customizable Action Modes: Options for customers to select n number of actions taken when the app is alerted.
Low-Fidelity Wireframes
In the early stages of designing The Red Apron App, I created low-fidelity wireframes to map out the core structure and user flow of the app. These wireframes serve as a skeletal framework to visualize the user experience before committing to more detailed designs and visual aesthetics.
Purpose:
The Red Apron is a personal safety app designed specifically for women to ensure their security in various environments. The primary goal of these wireframes is to prioritize functionality and the seamless user journey for individuals in distress. Each screen addresses different use cases and safety features, from the onboarding process to activating discreet emergency alerts.
Key Features and Flow:
Home & Onboarding Screens:
The onboarding sequence introduces key app features such as discreet activation modes and emergency contacts. Users are guided through setting up the app with easy-to-follow steps.
Simplified registration and login process ensuring quick access in times of need.
Discreet Activation & Customization:
The activation modes allow users to set up voice commands or custom gestures for triggering alerts discreetly. Options like voice activation or patterns ensure flexibility depending on the user’s preference or situation.
Emergency Contacts:
Users can add up to 10 emergency contacts, which the app will automatically alert when activated. This feature is designed to provide peace of mind by keeping trusted people in the loop during emergencies.
App Testing & Main Dashboard:
A built-in app testing feature ensures users can practice the activation process and familiarize themselves with the app. The main dashboard includes a prominent SOS button for quick access in an emergency.
Design Decisions:
Minimalist Design: Keeping the layout clean and simple ensures users can easily navigate the app, even in high-stress situations.
Intuitive Interaction: The screens focus on intuitive interactions, allowing users to set up voice commands, gestures, or contacts with minimal effort.
Focus on Safety: Every aspect of the app’s design is centered around the user’s safety, with customizable and discreet activation options to avoid drawing attention in critical situations.
These wireframes formed the foundation of the app’s user experience, highlighting essential features and validating the user flow before progressing to high-fidelity prototypes.