Solutions from Ukraine: new app enables victims of violence to alert police without calling

In Ukraine, a new mobile app was developed that allows women to contact the police without having to make a call when faced with violence.

The Kyiv City State Administration reported this.

What is the problem?

According to the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Ukraine, the National Police of Ukraine registered more than 291 thousand cases of domestic violence in 2023, 20% more than in 2022. The number of registered criminal offenses increased by 80% (from 1,498 to 2,701). In addition, 36% more administrative crimes were detected.

In addition, according to the forecasts of the Analytical Center of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, an increase in the number of administrative offenses to 21% and criminal offenses to 30% is expected by 2024. In just two months of 2024, 56% more criminal offenses related to domestic violence were registered in Ukraine.

What is the solution?

Moving forward, the mobile app will allow women facing violence or danger to contact the police silently through the "SOS" button. The police will then arrive at the given address or use the phone's location.

The application was created with the support of the British government and in cooperation with the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Ukraine and the National Police.

How does it work?

The application's external interface is disguised as an ordinary application on the woman's phone. The button to call the police, useful information, and contacts of other help services in cases of domestic or gender-based violence are only available in the hidden interface.

You can access the application through the Telegram chatbot: https://t.me/female_app_bot.