This post was written by Hatchet reporter Julian Baker
The national organization Men Can Stop Rape partnered with Students Against Sexual Assault and LoveIsRespect to roll out an updated version of an app for sexual assault survivors and college students.
The updated app, U ASK D.C., lets users instantly share their GPS location with friends and send a pre-programmed message to a specific list of contacts. The updates were presented at a campus event Wednesday.
Men Can Stop Rape partnered with all eight universities in D.C. to roll out the app, which is meant to be an “immediate resource, specific to college campuses”, said Rachel Friedman, the deputy director of Men Can Stop Rape. The “Ask D.C.” app works similarly, but is targeted at all of D.C. instead of just college students.
In the updated version, users can send a specific message to their friends or family, for example, telling them if they feel unsafe in a specific location. The app also provides phone numbers for area resources, including the D.C. Rape Crisis Center and the D.C. Victim Hotline. The GW-specific features include resources like housing and schedule changes, as well as counseling information.
Men Can Stop Rape worked closely with GW administrators and students to make the app personal for GW students, Friedman said. GW’s chapter of Men Can Stop Rape disbanded last year after low participation.
Ariella Neckritz, the president of Students Against SExual Assault, said the app is important to help GW students find every resource available.
“People often don’t know what’s available. This app is an important next step,” Neckritz said.