Domestic violence
Latest
FCC proposals require phone companies to help domestic violence survivors
The FCC's proposed rules would make carriers help domestic violence survivors.
Google will put domestic violence help at the top of relevant searches
Google now offers domestic violence survivors direct access to The National Domestic Violence Hotline in search results.
Google will prohibit ads for 'intimate partner surveillance' tech
Starting August 11th, Google is banning advertisements for “stalkerware” apps and hardware, which enable someone to track the phone activity or movement of another person. The apps are already banned in Google and Apple’s app stores, however some still slip through while others are available directly on developers’ websites.
Turn in violent video games, get ice cream in California county
The District Attorney of Marin county, California, is hosting a buyback day for residents' toy guns and violent video games, in an effort to highlight issues of domestic violence during October, Domestic Violence Awareness Month. District Attorney Ed Berberian is working with the Center for Domestic Peace and Ben & Jerry's Ice Cream for the event, to be held on October 4 at Novato police headquarters. Participants will receive ice cream, Marin IJ says. "As we know, domestic violence incidents almost always have children present and these children develop over time imprinted images of the family violence," Berberian said in a written message. "These children then carry those experiences into their adult lives and often repeat the pattern of violence in their own family units."
Ray Rice to be removed from Madden 15 in Week 1 update
Former Baltimore Ravens running back Ray Rice will be removed from Madden NFL 15 in this week's update, EA Sports confirmed with Joystiq. The change will be part of the game's next roster update, which "will take place by this Friday," the publisher said. Rice was cut by the Ravens and suspended indefinitely from the NFL after a video of his domestic violence act from February surfaced on TMZ. The league previously suspended Rice for two games for the incident, and as a result of the suspension, current rosters in Madden 15 have him fourth in the depth chart order for Ravens running backs. It's not the first time EA has adjusted its sports game rosters following an athlete's criminal act; former New England Patriots tight end Aaron Hernandez was removed from NCAA 14 and Madden NFL 25 in July 2013 after being charged with murder. [Image: EA Sports]
Verizon's HopeLine app for Android provides resources and support for victims of domestic violence
Verizon's HopeLine program has recycled old phones since 2001 by giving them (along with 3,000 minutes of service) to victims of domestic abuse so that they can talk to emergency and support services when needed. Now, Verizon has released a HopeLine app for Android that not only provides direct access to support services and the National Domestic Violence Hotline, but also allows users to engage others involved in domestic violence awareness by sharing their photos and videos. The app also provides information about making monetary and phone donations to HopeLine. Want to help with HopeLine? There's more info in the PR below, and you can grab the app at the source.
circleof6 app aims to prevent sexual violence
The White House put together a competition last year to try and encourage developers to build mobile apps dedicated to helping stop sexual violence, and a winner of that competition has just arrived in the App Store. circle of 6 is that app -- it's an emergency notifier that allows anyone to choose six close friends or family members, put all of their contact information in and have it be ready to go, and then be able to send a series of pre-entered texts that can be packed with information about when and where the user is. Within two taps, the app is designed to allow the user to send out everything they'd need to easily and quickly ask for help, regardless of where they are or what's going on. We covered both Circle of 6 and a few other contenders for the award back when the winners were announced last year, and a lot of good work went in to making this do what it's supposed to do. The app also has a lot of information included on how to help prevent sexual violence and dangerous situations when out and about, and there are also shortcuts to two national hotlines and even local emergency numbers. This is the kind of app that you really hope nobody has to ever use, but if someone who is in a dangerous situation has an opportunity to use it and get help, then all of this fine work will be completely worth it. Circle of 6 is a free download from the App Store right now. [hat tip to The Frisky]
