Western researchers to develop national anti-violence app 

Western University will lead the way in developing Canada's first nation-wide phone app to help women facing violence in the home. Photo by Tim Samuel of Pexels Western researchers will be leading the way in developing the first free, Canada-wide app to help survivors of domestic violence find a path to safety and health. The Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) announced this month it will invest more than $100,000 to develop a bilingual, mobile app that will provide information to support survivors of intimate partner violence and those at risk. "This will be the first evidence-based app designed by Canadians, for Canadian survivors and service providers," said professor Marilyn Ford-Gilboe , Women's Health Research Chair in Rural Health in Western's Labatt Family School of Nursing. "We want anyone who is experiencing violence in a relationship to see that there is something in this app for them." The app - expected to be launched by June 2021 - will draw on two earlier apps (a web app and a mobile app) developed by Ford-Gilboe and her colleagues, part of previous research examining how virtual spaces and digital information could offer support to those experiencing relationship violence. The web app aimed to increase users' sense of safety and their awareness of safety measures, improve mental health and confidence, and enhance their control over choices and next steps. "We had good evidence from that trial that we were onto something," Ford-Gilboe said.