JOINT PRESS RELEASE BY THE MINISTRY OF THE INTERIOR AND UNDP: Mobile app Be Safe: One click for SOS

The Government of Montenegro, Ministry of the Interior and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) launched today a mobile phone app “Be Safe“ which enables victims of violence to reach help at just one click. A message with the phone number and geolocation is received by the National SOS Helpline for victims of domestic violence. Their activists will immediately contact the person who tapped the help button. Professional staff are well trained and educated for acting in emergency situations related to violence, while all the data are safe and confidential. Application is available for Android users and can be downloaded from Google Playstore, while for iOS users it will be available soon.

On the occasion of launch of the app and promotional campaign, Minister of the Interior Mevludin Nuhodžić said: “In these challenging times of fight against the coronavirus, when the risk of domestic violence is increasing, Government of Montenegro and UNDP are launching an SOS mobile phone platform that enables quick reporting of exposure to violence. In this way, we would like to emphasise that violence in family is not a private matter. It is an issue that affects us all and permeates the society as a whole. This is why our aim is to use the app to also encourage and instigate the victims to report violence.” He also stressed that the responsible authorities are working intensively and devotedly, even during the pandemic, on prevention of violence and protection of victims. “For the Police it’s of utmost priority to ensure responsible and immediate action following each violence report, along with implementation of urgent measures. This is why my message to victims of violence is – seek help and you will be safe and protected,” – Minister Nuhodžić concluded.

UNDP developed the Be Safe app with an aim to provide a long-term digital solution, which can be utilised in all circumstances not only during the pandemic containment measures of restriction of movement and social isolation.

Daniela Gašparikova, UNDP Resident Representative to Montenegro, highlighted that the Be Safe app offers yet another safe communication channel for victims to ask for help, in a simple and fast way, regardless of the place and time when violence may occur. “With just one click, the potential victim will receive all necessary support, which will be provided through the National SOS Helpline,” Gašparikova said. Even though the application was created in the time of the pandemic, it presents a permanent solution: “We at UNDP are very happy that this application is here to stay and continue providing a safe communication channel for victims to seek support even after this crisis is over“. Gašparikova also sent an appeal to the whole society: “I call upon all citizens of Montenegro to show zero tolerance towards the violence against women.”

The application offers numerous features, including adding the numbers of trusted individuals or organisations, that they can contact in case they find themselves in danger. Also, this app has educational and informative content, including all relevant contacts, key explanations about the victim’s rights, practical advice, self-defence videos, as well as details on the Protocol for action, prevention and protection against violence in family. This overarching document prescribes all relevant procedures and defines institutional cooperation in relation to domestic violence and violence against women.