MEMPHIS, TN (abc24.com) - A new smartphone app could help prevent rape. As crime goes up on college campuses, especially rape cases, a developer has created an app to prevent sexual assaults and dating violence for college students. The app is called "Circle of Six." With one tap of the finger, you can get immediate help to escape uncomfortable and unsafe situations.
ABC 24 News previously reported on the “Girls Around Me" app, also called the "predator app" by some, and it helps locate girls in your immediate area without them knowing. But now, there's an app to prevent scary situations like that from happening.
"It sounds pretty cool and it feels like it'll come in handy in bad situations,” said University of Memphis freshman Kaitlyn Atkins.
“It's very handy and it's free. I think we should let people know about it," said another U of M student, Natalia Gomez.
The "Circle of 6" app is simple to use. First program 6 of your closest friends' phone numbers and depending on your situation you can press a phone icon. That will send a group text message that says, "Call me and pretend you need me. I need an interruption." Or if it's more serious you can press a car icon. It will send the text, "Come and get me. I need help getting home safely," and it'll send your GPS location. There's also a button to call campus police instantly. University of Memphis college students loved it, especially after a student was raped on campus just last week.
"It's a really good idea, especially when you don't have anyone walking with you. I take night classes and it's dangerous to walk home,” said U of M freshman Kylie Davis.
"I think it's a really good idea because a lot of people get raped,” said U of M sophomore Brooke Oxentine.
Guys think it's a nifty idea too.
"I think it'll be a real useful tool to have all those different options to call for help. That'll really help them, it's only one or two touches away,” said U of M sophomore James Coleman.
"I think it's great. Anything that will help someone who's in trouble and it's really cool. It obviously has the right set up to contact authorities so I think that's great,” said U of M senior Tony Lemonas.
The Circle of 6 app won the 2011 White House Apps Against Abuse Technology Challenge. Right now, the app is only available for iPhones and it’s free to download.
