In an age where life moves to the beat of rapidly texting fingertips, there's a new tool to use against sexual assault and dating violence.
Jenny Murphy-Shifflet, president and chief executive officer for the Sexual Assault Resource Counseling Center of Lebanon, which has an office in Pottsville, recently encouraged her 22-year-old daughter, Laura, to try it.
"It seems like an excellent app," Murphy-Shifflet said Monday
It's an iPhone application called "Circle of 6." The winner of the recent White House "Apps Against Abuse" technology challenge, it was launched March 20. The free iPhone download is available at circleof6app.com
Since April is Sexual Assault Awareness Month in the United States, it's an excellent time to discuss the app's pros and cons, Sarah T. "Sally" Casey, Schuylkill Women in Crisis executive director, said Monday.
The goal of Sexual Assault Awareness Month is to raise public awareness about sexual violence and to educate communities and individuals on how to prevent sexual violence, according to the website for the National Sexual Violence Resource Center: www.nsvrc.org.
"With Circle of 6, you can connect with your friends to stay close, stay safe and prevent violence before it happens," it is written at the website. "The Circle of 6 app ... makes it quick and easy to reach the six friends you choose. Need help getting home? Need an interruption? Two touches lets your circle know where you are and how they can help. Icons represent actions: So that no one can tell what you're up to. Designed for college students, its fast, easy-to-use and private. It's the mobile way to look out for your friends, on campus or when you're out for the night."
But people should be cautious when choosing which of their friends they invite into the circle, Casey said.
"My only concern is if assistance doesn't come fast enough, or if it comes from the wrong people, it could cause some problems. You can choose your friends carefully, but you're not going to know what that means until you're in such a moment," Casey said.
Their reactions can be unpredictable variables, Casey said.
"In addition, what you assume their reaction is going to be may not be what it really is," Casey said.
"But with it, you're not doing a whole lot to let people know you need help. And the part that I liked about it was it allowed you to be able to locate the person calling for help and letting somebody else know at the same time."
The app connects to a GPS mapping system, according to the website.
"I think women, specifically, have always tried to put in place safety measures when they have gone on dates, especially on blind dates. So they've used different means, such as going off in the midst of the date to use a phone. And this just builds on that and makes it easier for them to get assistance. It's the next step in technology of what most young people are using these days," Murphy-Shifflet said.
There are numerous situations, she added, in which people might want to tap that button twice to alert friends. They include situations when they are feeling uncomfortable, if their date isn't respecting their personal boundaries.
Meanwhile, SWIC and local colleges are hosting the first "Take Back the Night" event in Schuylkill County, which works toward an end to domestic and sexual violence. It will be held at 5 p.m. Thursday starting at the bus loop at Union Station, 300 S. Centre St., Pottsville.
Looking ahead, Murphy-Shifflet said, SARCC recently received a $20,000 AT&T grant to give up to 50 people who work with youth, including teachers, school coaches and ministers, a free weeklong workshop from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily between June 11 and 14 at Lebanon Valley College.
"We're going to encourage the implementation of the Green Dot program in our community," she said. "It is a community, institutional and individual response to violence in our community."
People interested in attending can call 717-270-6972, ext. 361. For more information about the program, go online to livethegreendot.com.