Daisy app now connects more women in the New England Electorate to support services

11 Sep 2015

11 September 2015

 

FEDERAL Member for New England, Barnaby Joyce said  more women experiencing the impacts of sexual assault, domestic and family violence – including those in rural and remotes area of Australia, or where English is not their first language – can now find help in the one place through the updated Daisy app.

 

With new features increasing accessibility, Daisy is now connecting more women to vital information and services.

 

Daisy – developed with input from all state and territory governments and funded by the Australian Government – has been downloaded approximately 100 times each week since its launch in March. In total, there have been more than 2000 downloads nationally.

 

The updated app was launched today, with new features including translated information across 28 language groups, text-to-voice functionality for women with a vision impairment (or low literacy) and an SMS function for women living in rural or remote areas.

 

The Minister Assisting the Prime Minister for Women, Senator the Hon Michaelia Cash, said the app is a valuable tool for women experiencing violence to access services relevant to their unique situation.

 

“We need to make accessing support for women experiencing violence as easy as possible. Acknowledging that every situation is different, the updated app will now be more relevant and more accessible to a wider scope of women,” Minister Cash said.

 

“For example, for some women living in isolated parts of Australia, police may not be the first point of response. We also know that women from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds represent a significant portion of women living in violent situations. Daisy 2.0 seeks to address those specific groups to increase accessibility for women across Australia.”

 

Mr Joyce said Daisy provides women with an easy-to-use list of specialist sexual assault, domestic and family violence services in their state and local area.

 

Special features of Daisy include a ‘Get Help’ function that allows users to quickly call 000 and a ‘Quick Exit’ button to leave screens containing service information.

 

In June, Daisy won a 2015 Australian Information Industry Association (AIIA) Victorian iAward for government innovation.

 

Daisy was recognised for the easy, intuitive and safe way it enables users to find a wide range of services – from specialist services, legal support or financial counselling, through to housing providers.

 

Daisy is free to download from Google Play for Android phones and the App Store for iPhones. Find out more at: https://www.1800respect.org.au/daisy/

 

FACT BOX

If you or someone you know is impacted by sexual assault, domestic or family violence, call 1800RESPECT on 1800 737 732 or visit www.1800RESPECT.org.au. For more information about a service in your state or local area download the DAISY App in the App Store or Google Play.

 

1800RESPECT is the National Sexual Assault Domestic Family Violence Counselling Service. It is funded by the Australian Government Department of Social Services as part of the Australian Government's commitment to reduce violence under the National Plan to Reduce Violence against Women and their Children 2010–2022.

 

1800RESPECT is a confidential online and telephone counselling, information and referral service available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. The service is for those experiencing the impacts of sexual assault, domestic and family violence. Victims of sexual assault, domestic and family violence, as well as their family and friends can contact 1800RESPECT 1800 737 732 or visit www.1800respect.org.au 

 

 

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