CloudyDay - Domestic Violence Help

CloudyDay: A Discreet Path to Safety and Support.

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Inspiration

Domestic violence against women remains a widespread and significant issue, affecting millions each year. While it’s not just women’s issue, women tend to be a common victim of domestic violence. In US approximately 1 in 4 women experience domestic violence, in Korea where I currently live about 1 in 3 women have experienced domestic violence at some point. I myself has been in a household affected by domestic violence, that is why I want to introduce to you domestic violence victims help app.

What it does

The CloudyDay App is a discreet and secure tool designed to assist victims of domestic violence in seeking help while protecting their safety. The app was created with the intent to empower women who are experiencing abuse, offering them a lifeline to support without alerting their abusers. CloudyDay appears as a simple weather app, with all core functionalities concealed to prevent suspicion.

There are 4 main functionalities in this app: Emergency Button: A "Report Unusual Weather" button functions as an emergency alert. When activated, it sends an email with vital information to an emergency contact, allowing the victim to signal for help.

Assess Danger: This AI-powered tool evaluates the current situation based on user input, offering a danger assessment to help users understand the severity of their circumstances and decide on appropriate actions.

Create a Safe Plan: A short survey is provided to allow users to create a safety plan based on their specific situation.

Community: A space for women to share their experiences and ask for advice. This community forum allows victims to connect with others who have faced similar challenges.

How we built it

My goal was to create an app that felt inviting and friendly, moving away from the typical "cold" designs. I started with Figma, designing a prototype that was warm and user-centered, with soft colors and approachable elements.

For development, I chose React Native with Expo. This setup allowed me to build for both iOS and Android efficiently while testing across devices to maintain a consistent, inviting experience. On the backend, I used Firebase to handle user authentication, real-time data, and ensure flexibility for future updates.

Challenges we ran into

This was my first time building a mobile application, so there was a steep learning curve in getting familiar with the tools. Another challenge was managing a tight schedule. I could only work during breaks from work and other activities so it was hard to manage at times. And finally probably the biggest challenge was planning phase that took longer than expected, primarily due to the sensitivity of the issue the app was addressing. There were a lot of stuff to consider to make it safe, easy to use and helpful.

Accomplishments that we're proud of

I'm extremely happy how the app turned out, especially the danger assessment feature powered by Gemini. This part of the app was particularly important to me because it addresses a critical need for women in potentially dangerous situations. I'm also happy about design, even though I had to remove some parts due to time limit.

What we learned

From a technical perspective I gained an experience of using React Native and Expo. I also learned how to integrate Gemini into the app, especially for the danger assessment feature which I believe will be very helpful in my future endavours.

Social Issues-wise On a more personal level, this project made me realize just how prevalent and serious the issue of women’s safety is. It was eye-opening to understand the extent to which many women don’t reach out for help, often due to the fear of being discovered or not being believed.

What's next for CloudyDay - Domestic Violence Help

Location-Based Resource Page Based on user's location provide relevant local resources such as shelters, helplines, legal aid, and support groups.

Emergency Button - Automatic Actions The emergency button should automatically send a predefined message to emergency contact without having to open email agent.

Integration with Local Authorities The best option for the future of CloudyDay would be partnering with local law enforcement to allow users to connect directly to a 24/7 emergency dispatcher or send distress signals to authorities and also use saved information as the court evidence.

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