Bright Sky is the new free download mobile app launched in partnership between Hestia and the Vodafone Foundation. The Bright Sky application says that it will “provide support and information to anyone who may be in an abusive relationship or those concerned about someone they know.” Having heard excellent things about this app and available in English, Urdu, Punjabi & Polish I took it for a test drive this month.
The ‘online safety guide’ I found particularly insightful suggesting ways in which someone could be tracking my movements without me realising. Awareness of this enables an individual to better protect themselves against these controlling invasions of privacy and recognise that them as stalking behaviours. Support agencies local to my postcode were easy to search for but whilst some strong suggestions appeared in the results it didn’t showcase a huge variety of organisations that we know exist locally. I am keen to see this library of contacts extend over time especially an addition of Flag DV to their list.
At Flag DV our volunteer solicitors meet with clients who may have been advised to create an evidence file of abuse they have or are enduring. The common struggle clients suffer in this instance is identifying a safe place to record detail of these incidents when they occur. This can hinder progression of some cases and delay evidential acknowledgement where legal aid applications are being made. The ‘My Diary’ within Bright Sky section provides Flag DV with a tool to signpost these vulnerable individuals to. The versatility of this section allows you to store voice recordings and photographic evidence as well as text making this feature inclusive regardless of the time limitations you may have to make an entry.
May 2019. Louisa Fidler, Growth & Development Manager, Flag DV.
