It's a shame that despite the phenomenal progress we’ve made as a society over the past century, evils such as domestic violence continue to not only persist, but even increase each passing year.
In fact, according to recent studies 1 in 4 women and 1 in 9 men in the US experience physical violence from an intimate partner at some point in their lives. Each minute, at least 10 people across the country experience physical or sexual violence at the hands of an intimate partner.
Given the severe long-term implications of such violence, these stats and figures are absolutely devastating. Domestic violence is a circle, and unless we break it for good, it stands to devour the very fabric of society, descending us to ceaseless violence, fear, and anxieties.
Local authorities, law enforcement, and charitable organizations have long strived to tackle this issue, but we’ve only recently hit a tipping point, thanks to substantial advances in technology, and surveillance systems in recent years.
In this article, we cover these advances, and how they are achieving results for good, and what lies ahead in this battle against domestic violence. From quick tracking and response, to seamlessly dispensing motel vouchers for victims, everything is within the realm of possibility.
- Surveillance Cameras
As is the case with most problems in modern society, technological advances and innovations ultimately save the day, and it is no different in the case of domestic violence.
From surveillance cameras that monitor every inch of public spaces, perfectly spotting signs of abuse, to cameras within homes and office spaces, it often seems like we are almost never too far from the web of surveillance in these modern times.
While this raises various concerns pertaining to our privacy, on the plus side, it can help eliminate the worst aspects of domestic violence.
- Trackers & Wearables
Victims can now be seamlessly tracked in real-time with the use of trackers, GPS, and wearable devices, with options to raise an alarm or send an SOS message, in order to be rescued when they find themselves in danger.
These novel new apps and solutions can be customized extensively to be personalized and suit individual requirements. This includes being able to send alerts to friends and family, or alerting law enforcement officials.
With the advent of AI in recent months, the possibilities of this technology are further endless, covering any and all gaps that persist with existing technologies. This includes monitoring for safe words, identifying and reporting any unusual activity among other things.
- Social Media
Another great resource to track and police domestic violence is via the use of social media sites such as Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
While not perfectly obvious, for the keen observer, social media posts might hint at signs of abuse, often certain marks or bruises in their photographs, facial expressions, or any other unusual activity.
This is better suited for friends and family who are perfectly well versed with a victim’s behavior, and spot anything that seems out of the ordinary. The key for law enforcement is to start taking these minor hunches and suspicions more seriously, especially when it comes from people known to the victim.
- Case Management Solutions
While surveillance cameras and other innovative tech solutions have done wonders in dealing with domestic violence, nothing matches the level of value created by the humble case management system, when applied to this problem.
From having a database of domestic violence victims, to actively keeping track of the progress made in each case, there are plenty of possibilities with customized software solutions for domestic violence shelters, aid organizations, and law enforcement authorities.
Final Words
Domestic violence has always been a complex issue, often requiring a multifaceted approach to tackle effectively. While the situation seems grim at the moment, we finally have, within our grasp, the technology that can bring an end to this menace once and for all.
We live during exciting times, and seeing the course of technological innovation, a society free from violence and fear is seemingly well within reach.
