The Problem
The scale of domestic abuse is staggering.
Domestic abuse affects millions of people across England and Wales. When risk escalates, reaching for a phone, making a call or sending a message may not be safe. ListenApp is designed to help address that gap.
“Domestic abuse is still the violent crime least likely to be reported to the police.”
The gap ListenApp addresses
Many people experiencing domestic abuse cannot safely make a call, type a message or openly access support at the moment risk escalates. Gathering evidence can also be difficult when someone is living with monitoring, coercive control or fear of discovery.
ListenApp is designed to complement existing domestic abuse services by giving users another option: personalised voice triggers that can discreetly alert people they trust and, if they choose, begin recording audio on their device.
Evidential difficulties remain a significant barrier to domestic abuse cases progressing through the criminal justice system. ListenApp gives users the option to securely capture audio at the time an incident occurs, which may help support later safeguarding or legal action.
Children are affected too
1 in 7 children experience domestic abuse in their lifetime. Yet fewer than 1 in 10 children affected received support from a refuge or community-based service last year. The gap between need and support is vast.
Domestic abuse does not only affect the person being directly harmed. Children who see, hear or experience the effects of domestic abuse are recognised as victims in their own right under the Domestic Abuse Act 2021. Improving the ways people can safely reach support can therefore have an impact beyond an individual user, helping protect children, families and wider support networks.
What ListenApp does about it
Closing the gap with technology
ListenApp puts a discreet safety tool into the hands of every person at risk, through the charities and organisations already serving them.
Instant connection
A personalised voice trigger can alert trusted contacts without the user needing to unlock or reach for their phone.
Potential evidence
Audio and images can be recorded discreetly and stored on the user's device, helping users document incidents.
Hidden in plain sight
ListenApp is disguised as a everyday app and protected by a secret PIN, reducing the likelihood that it is found by others.