A critical analysis of gender-based violence reporting and evidence building applications (GBVxTech) for capturing memory reports

Laura M Stevens; Tia C Bennett; Jessica Cotton; Sarah Rockowitz; Heather D Flowe

doi:10.3389/fpsyg.2023.1289817

A critical analysis of gender-based violence reporting and evidence building applications (GBVxTech) for capturing memory reports

Front Psychol. 2024 Jan 18:14:1289817. doi: 10.3389/fpsyg.2023.1289817. eCollection 2023.

Authors

Laura M Stevens¹, Tia C Bennett¹, Jessica Cotton², Sarah Rockowitz¹, Heather D Flowe¹

Affiliations

¹ School of Psychology, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, United Kingdom.
² School of Psychology, Cardiff University, Cardiff, United Kingdom.

Abstract

Introduction: Gender-based violence (GBV) is under-reported to the authorities owing to the stigma, shame, and fear of reprisal that surrounds these crimes. To address this, there has been an influx of technologies, including mobile phone and online applications that allow victim-survivors (hereafter, victims) to document and report GBV (hereafter referred to as GBVxTech). We critically analysed the extent to which GBVxTech applications align with the scientific knowledge base on gathering accounts of crimes from victims and witnesses.

Methods: We identified 41 reporting and evidence building applications from around the world but found many (n = 19) were no longer accessible. A total of 13 applications met the study criteria and were available for download. We evaluated each application on how well its design and features align with established minimum best practice standards for gathering complete and accurate accounts from witnesses and victims, such as the pre-interview instructions (e.g., setting ground rules), questioning approach (e.g., using open-ended questions), and the adequacy of security features (e.g., password protection).

Results and discussion: We found most applications employ open questions, encourage victims to report information in an independent voice, and seek to elicit information pertinent to a criminal investigation. None of the applications use leading questions. However, most applications do not establish ground rules, and many use forced-choice questions, do not time stamp the information gathered, or document when users change their answers. Many applications have limited security features, potentially compromising users' safety. Further, some applications do not provide information about how to use the app, an informed consent procedure, or data usage information. We discuss the findings and offer recommendations for future GBVxTech development.

Keywords: #MeToo; gender-based violence; mobile applications; police interviews; rape; sexual violence.

Grants and funding

The author(s) declare financial support was received for the research, authorship, and/or publication of this article. This work was funded by University of Birmingham to cover open access publication fee and by the AHRC AH/T008091/1 award to HF.