Mobile Suite Of Apps Created To Address Affirmative Consent

By Megan (Weyrauch) Johnson on September 30, 2015

The fight against sexual assault on college campuses is gaining a lot of ground recently. From news stories to music videos (like Lady Gaga’s new song “Til It Happens to You“), discussion of sexual assault is becoming more vocal and normalized.

And now, one company is using a suite of apps to try to defeat the problem of sexual assault.

To address the problem of sexual assault, ISCE.edu has created a set of mobile apps, according to a recent press release. While no app can prevent all sexual assaults, this app can help with the vast majority of cases where what has occurred is a lack of explicit discussion leading to misunderstandings, confusion and accusations.

Because 85 percent of unwanted sexual encounters are not reported, the app’s goal is to change the context in which these unwanted encounters occur.

The press release highlights the “yes” app, WE-CONSENT, designed to promote the explicit discussions which the new standard of “only yes means yes” demands and if both partners agree to create it, a secure video of their joint affirmative consent.

Image via We-Consent

The records are private and encrypted, only available to law enforcement, a college or university disciplinary proceeding or upon receipt of a subpoena. Users do not see the record and nothing can be circulated on the internet or elsewhere.

Two “no” apps were also created because everyone has a right to change their mind. These are the What-About-Now app and the soon to be released Changed-Mind app. The We-Consent app records an answer of “forced…yes” in the case of coercion, which creates a permanent record of that coercion and should deter the coercer from proceeding.

ISCE.edu will soon relase an I’ve-Been-Violated app to give victims of an unwanted encounter the ability to make a video recording of what happened to them. This recording can function as contemporaneous evidence whenever the victim decides to speak with authorities.

As a suite, these apps give students constant access to both discussion triggers and the tools they need to make affirmative consent — something that is becoming a critical part of the college and university experience — work.

Image via We-Consent

WE-CONSENT is only available to members of the Affirmative Consent Division of ISCE.edu and signups occur through this website. Memberships are available at a group price of $100 for 25 students (or $4 each) and individually for $5. Additional discounts are available for schools offering campus-wide access. Every member receives access to the full WE-CONSENT suite of apps and additional access to the web research tools offered by ISCE.edu.

These apps are presently only available for iPhone but Android access will be available by Christmas.

Note: The app suite is NOT available in the Apple App Store.

Visit ProtectEqualsRespect.com for more information and see the video below for a news story on the app.

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