NCFY Recommends: Technology Challenge to Prevent Violence

Nearly 1 in 5 women report experiencing sexual assault while in college. Many of these assaults occur when the offender, often an acquaintance, has targeted and isolated a young woman in vulnerable circumstances.

To address these statistics, Vice President Joe Biden and Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius challenge you to develop an app that provides college students and young adults with the tools to help prevent dating violence and sexual assault. Apps should offer individuals a way to connect with trusted friends in real-time to prevent abuse or violence from occurring. They will also allow friends to keep track of each other’s whereabouts and check in frequently to avoid being isolated in vulnerable circumstances.

To read the official rules and register to participate, visit the Challenge.gov portal. Registration is free. Submissions are due October 17, 2011.