Gem media launches mobile app for victims of domestic violence

Working in collaboration with the Office of the Public Defender, Lagos State Ministry of Justice, and the Domestic Violence Response Team, gem MEDIA through its non-profit arm – the gem INITIATIVE – has launched the Cupid App and Abby’s Line, a mobile application designed for women experiencing all forms of domestic abuse in order to seek help.

Speaking at the official launch which took place on Tuesday at the Protea Select Hotel Alausa, Ikeja, Publisher of gemWoman/gemMan magazine, Mrs Bola Olawale, noted that violence is on the increase in marriages and no excuse is tenable for this epidemic.

According to her: “It is reported that a third of women in Nigeria have experienced or are experiencing violence in their marriage. At least 23 million women are being battered in one form or the other. It should be noted that these are only reported cases. Much more go unreported.”

“It is with these concerns in mind that gem MEDIA, through our non-profit arm – the gem INITIATIVE – is launching the Cupid app to help couples stay connected and foster lasting relationships. The Cupid app is a one-of-its kind mobile application that would give couples access to creative, poetic ready-to-send text messages that would help them express their innermost feelings easier. It’s a proudly Nigerian app and the first of its kind as well because it has a functionality that enables couples send messages not just in English, but in Pidgin English and various Nigerian languages,” she added.

One of the most valuable features of the Cupid app is a functionality called Abby’s Line. While the Cupid app looks like just any other relationship app, it is also a potentially lifesaving domestic violence alert system in disguise because of the Abby’s Line which has a ‘Help’ button that gives users access to local domestic abuse prevention resources as well as the ability to send free, preloaded text messages that alert the user’s chosen trusted contacts and local authorities about a violent or potentially violent situation with their abuser.

While admitting that men, too, could be victims of domestic violence, Olawale explained that this was done to give some measure of privacy and protection to women who are by and large, the ones on the receiving end of domestic violence due to the stigma attached to the issue. “Anyone can use the Cupid App but it’s a silent help at hand for women who need to quickly get out of trouble.”

She further revealed: “We are collaborating with the Office of the Public Defender, Lagos State Ministry of Justice, and the Domestic Violence Response Team in respect of issues relating to domestic violence. In future, we hope to expand in order to handle cases of child abuse as well. We also need non-governmental organisations in matters of domestic violence, churches, financial institutions and other relevant bodies to partner with us in ensuring that women are adequately protected from the ills of domestic abuse.”

Olawale finally noted that strong marriages and healthy relationships are associated with economic growth, reduced poverty, lower crime rates and an overall progressive society. “With the Cupid App and Abby’s Line, we can ensure that relationships become stronger, see to it that fatalities are reduced and hopefully eradicated as we shine the light on domestic abuse and refuse to be silent bystanders.”