When you leave your dorm room to go out for the night what items do you take with you every time you leave? School I.D. card, wallet, cellphone. Developers of the new Circle of 6 App, and those similar to it, know this about college students, which is why they have found a way to provide a resource on your smartphone to help prevent sexual assault, especially on college campuses.
The new Circle of 6 app allows you to connect six friends to the app who will receive a message you send if you find yourself in an uncomfortable situation. Pre-written messages that are programmed to their own specific icon in the app allow you to discreetly send whatever message is appropriate for the situation. It only takes two clicks to get a message sent, which allows it to be sent faster than if you were to type one out yourself.
The app allows better access to six pre-determined friends so you don’t have to text a number of people who may or may not know how to help. It also includes messages that will send out a GPS location so that your friends know where you are and will allow them to get you help faster. This is helpful if you aren’t sure exactly where you are and don’t want to draw attention getting that information.
It also connects to other resources to help those who have just survived a sexual assault or any other assault. For some people it can be hard to know how to ask for help if they have already suffered from a sexual assault. It can be confusing to know where to go or who to talk to that will help. It is not always an easy thing to step up and assist yourself. But apps like this can help people get in contact with their campus resources and make the step in the direction they are maybe hesitant to go, but want to, easier.
So while there is no perfect way to prevent assault and sexual assault, the more tools we have to help ourselves and those we love, the better. It can be empowering to know that there are resources right there in your own pocket. There are a handful of apps on the market that are similar to the Circle of 6 app, so you can choose which one suits you and your friends needs best. Consider this app for yourself and those you love to help change the conversation about sexual assault.
To find out more about this particular app, check out the website.
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