The Guardian App: an application for reporting incidents of domestic violence in real time by leveraging wearable technology

Abstract

Domestic violence is a pervasive issue globally, often hindered by underreporting due to fear, intimidation, and limited access to immediate support. This problem is particularly pronounced in Uganda, where victims face significant barriers to seeking help, including fear of not being believed, intimidation by perpetrators, and economic dependency. To address these challenges, our project aims to develop a comprehensive system utilizing wearable technology, a mobile application, and voice recognition capabilities for real-time reporting of domestic violence incidents. The IoT wearable device, discreetly worn by victims, detects distress sounds and triggers alerts sent via the mobile app to preset guardians or authorities. This innovative solution empowers victims to seek assistance promptly, enhances their safety, and facilitates timely intervention by law enforcement and support services. Through this collaborative effort, we aspire to mitigate the cycle of abuse and contribute to broader efforts to address this critical social issue in Uganda and beyond.