'Anti-rape' apps feed into myth that rapists 'jump out of bushes at night'

An increasing number of personal safety apps are now available including those which record consent for sexual activity or send text alerts to family and friends if a woman feels she is in a dangerous situation.

In some cases they encourage women to gather their own evidence for potential court cases.

A study by researchers at Glasgow Caledonian University found evidence that the technology increases, 'stranger danger' fear and pushes the responsibility for safety onto women, contributing to the 'blame culture' victims face.

Worryingly, researchers said devices that offer remote monitoring of someone’s location or a ‘follow me’ or ‘I’m here’ feature, for instance, could allow stalkers or abusive partners to identify locations and regular routines.

Lesley McMillan, Professor of Criminology and Sociology at Glasgow Caledonian University, evaluated a range of technologies and devices claiming to help mitigate the risk of sexual assault, as part of a two-year research project with Dr Deborah White, from Trent University, Ontario, in Canada.

Professor McMillan, Associate Director of the Scottish Institute for Policing Research, said: “Many of these devices feed into the common, and erroneous, assumption of ‘stranger danger’, the myth that rapists primarily jump out of bushes late at night.

"We know this type of sexual assault is very rare, and most women are raped by someone known to them, including partners, relatives, friends and colleagues.

“In essence, these technologies place responsibility on everyone except perpetrators.

"They focus on women taking routine measures for their own sexual assault prevention, and even in some cases for collecting their own evidence for the criminal justice system.

“Women are frequently blamed for their victimisation and this could become more intense if questioned as to why they had not informed someone of their whereabouts using an app, or collected evidence of the assault.”

Several personal safety apps offer remote monitoring of a phone, using geolocation if the owner opts into the service. However, concerns have been raised that women in abusive relationships may be put at risk.

Professor McMillan said: “Worryingly, these technologies could become the tool of the coercive controller, as they offer the potential for the increased surveillance of women.

"Devices that offer remote monitoring of someone’s location or a ‘follow me’ or ‘I’m here’ feature, for instance, could allow stalkers or abusers to identify locations as well as regular routines.”

Dr Deborah White, who also carried out the research project, specialises in the study of institutional responses to sexual assault and in the role of forensic evidence in processing cases.

As well as apps, both researchers looked at a range of devices marketed as anti-rape devices, including protective clothing and colour-changing nail polish that manufacturers claim can detect date-rape drugs.

Professor McMillan, who specialises in the criminal justice response to rape and sexual assault, added: “These products treat sexual violence as an individualised crime. Overwhelmingly the language characterising these devices was about their ability to end violence against women.