Skip to main content
Top
Published in: BMC Public Health 1/2021

Open Access 01-12-2021 | Research article

Women’s experiences of safety apps for sexualized violence: a narrative scoping review

Authors: Nicole Doria, Christine Ausman, Susan Wilson, Annalisa Consalvo, Jad Sinno, Leah Boulos, Matthew Numer

Published in: BMC Public Health | Issue 1/2021

Login to get access

Abstract

Background

Sexualized violence against women is a significant human rights problem worldwide. Safety apps have the capacity to provide women with resources to prevent or respond to experiences of sexualized violence.

Methods

The aim of the following study was to review the scope of the literature on women’s experiences of safety apps related to sexualized violence. The databases Embase, MEDLINE, PsycINFO, and Scopus were systematically searched, and seven studies were included in this review.

Results

Thematic analysis identified the following themes in the literature: (1) security; (2) accessibility; and (3) knowledge.

Conclusion

The gaps in the literature are identified and implications and recommendations for future research is discussed.
Appendix
Available only for authorised users
Literature
2.
go back to reference Alhusen J, Bloom T, Clough A, Glass N. Development of the MyPlan Safety Decision App with Friends of College Women in Abusive Dating Relationships. J Technol Hum Serv. 2015;33(3):263–82. Alhusen J, Bloom T, Clough A, Glass N. Development of the MyPlan Safety Decision App with Friends of College Women in Abusive Dating Relationships. J Technol Hum Serv. 2015;33(3):263–82.
3.
go back to reference Amstadter AB, McCauley JL, Ruggiero KJ, Resnick HS, Kilpatrick DG. Self-rated health in relation to rape and mental health disorders in a national sample of women. Am J Orthopsychiatry. 2011;81(2):202–10.PubMed Amstadter AB, McCauley JL, Ruggiero KJ, Resnick HS, Kilpatrick DG. Self-rated health in relation to rape and mental health disorders in a national sample of women. Am J Orthopsychiatry. 2011;81(2):202–10.PubMed
5.
go back to reference Arksey H, O’Malley L. Scoping studies: Towards a methodological framework. Int J Soc Res Methodol. 2005;8(1):19–32. Arksey H, O’Malley L. Scoping studies: Towards a methodological framework. Int J Soc Res Methodol. 2005;8(1):19–32.
10.
go back to reference Blayney J, Jenzer T, Read J, Livingston J, Testa M. Enlisting friends to reduce sexual victimization risk: There’s an app for that... but nobody uses it. J Am Coll Heal. 2018;66(8):767–73. Blayney J, Jenzer T, Read J, Livingston J, Testa M. Enlisting friends to reduce sexual victimization risk: There’s an app for that... but nobody uses it. J Am Coll Heal. 2018;66(8):767–73.
11.
go back to reference Bloom T, Gielen A, Glass N. Developing an App for College Women in Abusive Same-Sex Relationships and Their Friends. J Homosex. 2016;63(6):855–74.PubMed Bloom T, Gielen A, Glass N. Developing an App for College Women in Abusive Same-Sex Relationships and Their Friends. J Homosex. 2016;63(6):855–74.PubMed
12.
go back to reference Bivens R, Hasinoff AA. Rape: is there an app for that? An empirical analysis of the features of anti-rape apps. Inf Commun Soc. 2018;21(8):1050–67. Bivens R, Hasinoff AA. Rape: is there an app for that? An empirical analysis of the features of anti-rape apps. Inf Commun Soc. 2018;21(8):1050–67.
13.
go back to reference Bramer WM, Giustini D, de Jonge GB, Holland L, Bekhuis T. De-duplication of database search results for systematic reviews in EndNote. JMLA. 2016;104(3):240.PubMedPubMedCentral Bramer WM, Giustini D, de Jonge GB, Holland L, Bekhuis T. De-duplication of database search results for systematic reviews in EndNote. JMLA. 2016;104(3):240.PubMedPubMedCentral
14.
go back to reference Breiding MJ, Chen J, Black MC. Intimate partner violence in the United States--2010. 2014. Breiding MJ, Chen J, Black MC. Intimate partner violence in the United States--2010. 2014.
17.
go back to reference Braun V, Clarke V. Using thematic analysis in psychology. Qual Res Psychol. 2006;3(2):77–101. Braun V, Clarke V. Using thematic analysis in psychology. Qual Res Psychol. 2006;3(2):77–101.
18.
go back to reference Brignone L, Edleson JL. The dating and domestic violence app rubric: Synthesizing clinical best practices and digital health app standards for relationship violence prevention smartphone apps. In J Hum–Comput Interact. 2019;35(19):1859–69. Brignone L, Edleson JL. The dating and domestic violence app rubric: Synthesizing clinical best practices and digital health app standards for relationship violence prevention smartphone apps. In J Hum–Comput Interact. 2019;35(19):1859–69.
19.
go back to reference Campbell R, Dworkin E, Cabral G. An ecological model of the impact of sexual assault on women’s mental health. Trauma Violence Abuse. 2009;10(3):225–46.PubMed Campbell R, Dworkin E, Cabral G. An ecological model of the impact of sexual assault on women’s mental health. Trauma Violence Abuse. 2009;10(3):225–46.PubMed
20.
go back to reference Cardoso LF, Sorenson SB, Webb O, Landers S. Recent and emerging technologies: Implications for women’s safety. Technol Soc. 2019;58:101108. Cardoso LF, Sorenson SB, Webb O, Landers S. Recent and emerging technologies: Implications for women’s safety. Technol Soc. 2019;58:101108.
21.
go back to reference Chaudhry B, Yasar A-U-H, El-Amine S, Shakshuki E. Passenger safety in ride-sharing services. Procedia Comput Sci. 2018;130:1044–50. Chaudhry B, Yasar A-U-H, El-Amine S, Shakshuki E. Passenger safety in ride-sharing services. Procedia Comput Sci. 2018;130:1044–50.
22.
go back to reference Clarke V, Braun V. Thematic analysis. J Posit Psychol. 2017;12(3):297–8. Clarke V, Braun V. Thematic analysis. J Posit Psychol. 2017;12(3):297–8.
25.
go back to reference Cotton S, Gupta S. Characteristics of online and offline health information seekers and factors that discriminate between them. Soc Sci Med. 2004;59:1795–806. Cotton S, Gupta S. Characteristics of online and offline health information seekers and factors that discriminate between them. Soc Sci Med. 2004;59:1795–806.
26.
go back to reference de Vries ST, Wong L, Sutcliffe A, Houÿez F, Ruiz CL, Mol PGM. Factors influencing the use of a mobile app for reporting adverse drug reactions and receiving safety information: A qualitative study. Drug Saf. 2017;40:443–55.PubMed de Vries ST, Wong L, Sutcliffe A, Houÿez F, Ruiz CL, Mol PGM. Factors influencing the use of a mobile app for reporting adverse drug reactions and receiving safety information: A qualitative study. Drug Saf. 2017;40:443–55.PubMed
27.
go back to reference Dogruel L, Joeckel S, Vitak J. The valuation of privacy premium features for smartphone apps: The influence of defaults and expert recommendations. Comput Hum Behav. 2017;77:230–9. Dogruel L, Joeckel S, Vitak J. The valuation of privacy premium features for smartphone apps: The influence of defaults and expert recommendations. Comput Hum Behav. 2017;77:230–9.
28.
go back to reference Egelman S, Felt AP, Wagner D. Choice architecture and smartphone privacy: There's a price for that. In: Bohme R, editor. The economics of information security and privacy. Berlin, Heidelberg: Springer; 2013. p. 211e236. Egelman S, Felt AP, Wagner D. Choice architecture and smartphone privacy: There's a price for that. In: Bohme R, editor. The economics of information security and privacy. Berlin, Heidelberg: Springer; 2013. p. 211e236.
29.
go back to reference Finn J. A survey of online harassment at a university campus. J Interpers Violence. 2004;19(4):468–83.PubMed Finn J. A survey of online harassment at a university campus. J Interpers Violence. 2004;19(4):468–83.PubMed
30.
go back to reference Finn J, Atkinson T. Promoting the safe and strategic use of technology for victims of intimate partner violence: Evaluation of the Technology Safety Project. J Fam Violence. 2009;24(1):53–9. Finn J, Atkinson T. Promoting the safe and strategic use of technology for victims of intimate partner violence: Evaluation of the Technology Safety Project. J Fam Violence. 2009;24(1):53–9.
32.
go back to reference Gilmore A, Davidson T, Leone R, Wray L, Oesterle D, Hahn C, . . . Acierno R. Usability Testing of a Mobile Health Intervention to Address Acute Care Needs after Sexual Assault. Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2019;16(17):3088.PubMedCentral Gilmore A, Davidson T, Leone R, Wray L, Oesterle D, Hahn C, . . . Acierno R. Usability Testing of a Mobile Health Intervention to Address Acute Care Needs after Sexual Assault. Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2019;16(17):3088.PubMedCentral
33.
go back to reference Glass N, Clough A, Case J, Hanson G, Barnes-Hoyt J, Waterbury A, Perrin N. A safety app to respond to dating violence for college women and their friends: the MyPlan study randomized controlled trial protocol. BMC Public Health. 2015;15(1):1–13. Glass N, Clough A, Case J, Hanson G, Barnes-Hoyt J, Waterbury A, Perrin N. A safety app to respond to dating violence for college women and their friends: the MyPlan study randomized controlled trial protocol. BMC Public Health. 2015;15(1):1–13.
35.
go back to reference He D, Naveed M, Gunter CA, Nahrstedt K. Security concerns in Android mHealth apps. In: AMIA Annual Symposium Proceedings (Vol. 2014). American Medical Informatics Association; 2014. p. 645. He D, Naveed M, Gunter CA, Nahrstedt K. Security concerns in Android mHealth apps. In: AMIA Annual Symposium Proceedings (Vol. 2014). American Medical Informatics Association; 2014. p. 645.
36.
go back to reference Halstead V, Williams JR, Gonzalez-Guarda R. Sexual violence in the college population: A systematic review of disclosure and campus resources and services. J Clin Nurs. 2017;26(15–16):2137–53.PubMed Halstead V, Williams JR, Gonzalez-Guarda R. Sexual violence in the college population: A systematic review of disclosure and campus resources and services. J Clin Nurs. 2017;26(15–16):2137–53.PubMed
37.
go back to reference Hébert M, Moreau C, Blais M, Lavoie F, Guerrier M. Child sexual abuse as a risk factor for teen dating violence: Findings from a representative sample of Quebec youth. J Child Adolesc Trauma. 2017;10(1):51–61.PubMed Hébert M, Moreau C, Blais M, Lavoie F, Guerrier M. Child sexual abuse as a risk factor for teen dating violence: Findings from a representative sample of Quebec youth. J Child Adolesc Trauma. 2017;10(1):51–61.PubMed
38.
go back to reference Henry N, Powell A. Technology-facilitated sexual violence: A literature review of empirical research. Trauma Violence Abuse. 2018;19(2):195–208.PubMed Henry N, Powell A. Technology-facilitated sexual violence: A literature review of empirical research. Trauma Violence Abuse. 2018;19(2):195–208.PubMed
39.
go back to reference Hodge JG Jr, Gostin LO, Jacobson PD. Legal issues concerning electronic health information: privacy, quality, and liability. JAMA. 1999;282:1466–71.PubMed Hodge JG Jr, Gostin LO, Jacobson PD. Legal issues concerning electronic health information: privacy, quality, and liability. JAMA. 1999;282:1466–71.PubMed
40.
go back to reference Ismail SNS, Rangga JU, Rasdi I, Rahman URA, Samah MAA. Mobile apps application to improve safety and health knowledge, attitude and practice among university students. Malaysian J Med Health Sci. 2018;14(SP1):47–55. Ismail SNS, Rangga JU, Rasdi I, Rahman URA, Samah MAA. Mobile apps application to improve safety and health knowledge, attitude and practice among university students. Malaysian J Med Health Sci. 2018;14(SP1):47–55.
41.
go back to reference Koss MP, Figueredo AJ, Prince RJ. Cognitive mediation of rape’s mental, physical and social health impacts: Tests of four models in cross-sectional data. J Consult Clin Psychol. 2002;70(4):926.PubMed Koss MP, Figueredo AJ, Prince RJ. Cognitive mediation of rape’s mental, physical and social health impacts: Tests of four models in cross-sectional data. J Consult Clin Psychol. 2002;70(4):926.PubMed
42.
go back to reference Kumar S. E- and M-Learning: A comparative study. Int J New Trends Educ Their Implications. 2013;4(3):65–78. Kumar S. E- and M-Learning: A comparative study. Int J New Trends Educ Their Implications. 2013;4(3):65–78.
43.
go back to reference Langenderfer-Magruder L, Walls NE, Kattari SK, Whitfield DL, Ramos D. Sexual victimization and subsequent police reporting by gender identity among lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer adults. Violence Vict. 2016;31(2):320–31.PubMed Langenderfer-Magruder L, Walls NE, Kattari SK, Whitfield DL, Ramos D. Sexual victimization and subsequent police reporting by gender identity among lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer adults. Violence Vict. 2016;31(2):320–31.PubMed
44.
go back to reference Lindsay M, Messing J, Thaller J, Baldwin A, Clough A, Bloom T, . . . Glass N. Survivor Feedback on a Safety Decision Aid Smartphone Application for College-Age Women in Abusive Relationships. J Technol Hum Serv. 2013;31(4):368-88. Lindsay M, Messing J, Thaller J, Baldwin A, Clough A, Bloom T, . . . Glass N. Survivor Feedback on a Safety Decision Aid Smartphone Application for College-Age Women in Abusive Relationships. J Technol Hum Serv. 2013;31(4):368-88.
45.
go back to reference Maxwell L, Sanders A, Skues J, Wise L. A content analysis of personal safety apps: Are they keeping us safe or making us more vulnerable? Violence Against Women. 2020;26(2):233–48.PubMed Maxwell L, Sanders A, Skues J, Wise L. A content analysis of personal safety apps: Are they keeping us safe or making us more vulnerable? Violence Against Women. 2020;26(2):233–48.PubMed
46.
go back to reference McCarthy OT, Caulfield B, O’Mahony M. How transport users perceive personal safety apps. Transp Res F. 2016;43:166–82. McCarthy OT, Caulfield B, O’Mahony M. How transport users perceive personal safety apps. Transp Res F. 2016;43:166–82.
47.
go back to reference Millon EM, Chang HYM, Shors TJ. Stressful life memories relate to ruminative thoughts in women with sexual violence history, irrespective of PTSD. Front Psychiat. 2018;9:311. Millon EM, Chang HYM, Shors TJ. Stressful life memories relate to ruminative thoughts in women with sexual violence history, irrespective of PTSD. Front Psychiat. 2018;9:311.
50.
go back to reference Pegram SE, Abbey A. Associations between sexual assault severity and psychological and physical health outcomes: Similarities and differences among African American and Caucasian survivors. J Interp Viol. 2019;34(19):4020–40. Pegram SE, Abbey A. Associations between sexual assault severity and psychological and physical health outcomes: Similarities and differences among African American and Caucasian survivors. J Interp Viol. 2019;34(19):4020–40.
51.
go back to reference Peters MD, Marnie C, Tricco AC, Pollock D, Munn Z, Alexander L, Khalil H. Updated methodological guidance for the conduct of scoping reviews. JBI Evid Synth. 2020;18(10):2119–26.PubMed Peters MD, Marnie C, Tricco AC, Pollock D, Munn Z, Alexander L, Khalil H. Updated methodological guidance for the conduct of scoping reviews. JBI Evid Synth. 2020;18(10):2119–26.PubMed
52.
go back to reference Ragavan M, Ferre V, Bair-Merritt M. Thrive: A Novel Health Education Mobile Application for Mothers Who Have Experienced Intimate Partner Violence. Health Promot Pract. 2020;21(2):160–4.PubMed Ragavan M, Ferre V, Bair-Merritt M. Thrive: A Novel Health Education Mobile Application for Mothers Who Have Experienced Intimate Partner Violence. Health Promot Pract. 2020;21(2):160–4.PubMed
53.
go back to reference Resick PA. The psychological impact of rape. J Interpersonal Viol. 1993;8(2):223–55. Resick PA. The psychological impact of rape. J Interpersonal Viol. 1993;8(2):223–55.
56.
go back to reference Scott KM, Koenen KC, King A, Petukhova MV, Alonso J, Bromet EJ, et al. Post-traumatic stress disorder associated with sexual assault among women in the WHO World Mental Health Surveys. Psychol Med. 2018;48(1):155–67.PubMed Scott KM, Koenen KC, King A, Petukhova MV, Alonso J, Bromet EJ, et al. Post-traumatic stress disorder associated with sexual assault among women in the WHO World Mental Health Surveys. Psychol Med. 2018;48(1):155–67.PubMed
57.
go back to reference Shaw J, Janulis P. Re-evaluating sexual violence prevention through bystander education: A latent growth curve approach. J Interpersonal Viol. 2016;31(16):2729–50. Shaw J, Janulis P. Re-evaluating sexual violence prevention through bystander education: A latent growth curve approach. J Interpersonal Viol. 2016;31(16):2729–50.
58.
go back to reference Shin D, Shin Y, Choo H, Beom K. Smartphones as smart pedagogical tools: Implications for smartphones as u-learning devices. Comput Hum Behav. 2011;27(6):2207–14. Shin D, Shin Y, Choo H, Beom K. Smartphones as smart pedagogical tools: Implications for smartphones as u-learning devices. Comput Hum Behav. 2011;27(6):2207–14.
61.
go back to reference Spohn R, Wright EM, Peterson JC. Rape and mental health outcomes among women: Examining the moderating effects of “healthy” fear levels. Violence Against Women. 2017;23(9):1055–75.PubMed Spohn R, Wright EM, Peterson JC. Rape and mental health outcomes among women: Examining the moderating effects of “healthy” fear levels. Violence Against Women. 2017;23(9):1055–75.PubMed
63.
go back to reference Stoner JE, Cramer RJ. Sexual violence victimization among college females: A systematic review of rates, barriers, and facilitators of health service utilization on campus. Trauma Violence Abuse. 2019;20(4):520–33.PubMed Stoner JE, Cramer RJ. Sexual violence victimization among college females: A systematic review of rates, barriers, and facilitators of health service utilization on campus. Trauma Violence Abuse. 2019;20(4):520–33.PubMed
64.
go back to reference Tarzia L, Iyer D, Thrower E, Hegarty K. “Technology Doesn’t Judge You”: Young Australian Women’s Views on Using the Internet and Smartphones to Address Intimate Partner Violence. J Technol Hum Serv. 2017;35(3):199–218. Tarzia L, Iyer D, Thrower E, Hegarty K. “Technology Doesn’t Judge You”: Young Australian Women’s Views on Using the Internet and Smartphones to Address Intimate Partner Violence. J Technol Hum Serv. 2017;35(3):199–218.
65.
go back to reference Tarzia L, Maxwell S, Valpied J, Novy K, Quake R, Hegarty K. Sexual violence associated with poor mental health in women attending Australian general practices. Aust N Z J Public Health. 2017;41(50):518–23.PubMed Tarzia L, Maxwell S, Valpied J, Novy K, Quake R, Hegarty K. Sexual violence associated with poor mental health in women attending Australian general practices. Aust N Z J Public Health. 2017;41(50):518–23.PubMed
72.
go back to reference Velu AV, van Beukering MDM, Schaafsma FG, Frings-Dresen MHW, Mol BWJ, van der Post JAM, Kok M. Barriers and facilitators for the use of a medical mobile app to prevent work-related risks in pregnancy: A qualitative analysis. JMIR Res Protoc. 2017;6(8):e163.PubMedPubMedCentral Velu AV, van Beukering MDM, Schaafsma FG, Frings-Dresen MHW, Mol BWJ, van der Post JAM, Kok M. Barriers and facilitators for the use of a medical mobile app to prevent work-related risks in pregnancy: A qualitative analysis. JMIR Res Protoc. 2017;6(8):e163.PubMedPubMedCentral
73.
go back to reference Wong DJ, Jones E, Rubin GJ. Mobile text alerts are an effective way of communicating emergency information to adolescents: Results from focus groups with 12- to 18-year-olds. J Conting Crisis Manag. 2018;26(1):183–92. Wong DJ, Jones E, Rubin GJ. Mobile text alerts are an effective way of communicating emergency information to adolescents: Results from focus groups with 12- to 18-year-olds. J Conting Crisis Manag. 2018;26(1):183–92.
74.
go back to reference White D, McMillan L. Innovating the problem away? A critical study of anti-rape technologies. Violence Against Women. 2019:1077801219856115. White D, McMillan L. Innovating the problem away? A critical study of anti-rape technologies. Violence Against Women. 2019:1077801219856115.
77.
go back to reference Zaidi AU, Fernando S, Ammar N. An exploratory study of the impact of information communication technology (ICT) or computer mediated communication (CMC) on the level of violence and access to service among intimate partner violence (IPV) survivors in Canada. Technol Soc. 2015;41:91–7. Zaidi AU, Fernando S, Ammar N. An exploratory study of the impact of information communication technology (ICT) or computer mediated communication (CMC) on the level of violence and access to service among intimate partner violence (IPV) survivors in Canada. Technol Soc. 2015;41:91–7.
78.
go back to reference Zinzow HM, Resnick HS, Amstadter AB, McCauley JL, Ruggiero KJ, Kilpatrick DG. Drug- or alcohol-facilitated, incapacitated, and forcible rape in relationship to mental health among a national sample of women. J Interpers Violence. 2010;25(12):2217–36.PubMedPubMedCentral Zinzow HM, Resnick HS, Amstadter AB, McCauley JL, Ruggiero KJ, Kilpatrick DG. Drug- or alcohol-facilitated, incapacitated, and forcible rape in relationship to mental health among a national sample of women. J Interpers Violence. 2010;25(12):2217–36.PubMedPubMedCentral
Metadata
Title
Women’s experiences of safety apps for sexualized violence: a narrative scoping review
Authors
Nicole Doria
Christine Ausman
Susan Wilson
Annalisa Consalvo
Jad Sinno
Leah Boulos
Matthew Numer
Publication date
01-12-2021
Publisher
BioMed Central
Published in
BMC Public Health / Issue 1/2021
Electronic ISSN: 1471-2458
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-021-12292-5

Other articles of this Issue 1/2021

BMC Public Health 1/2021 Go to the issue