This content was published on 09 October 2021 – 09:59
London, Oct 9 (EFE) .- The British Government will assess an initiative proposed by the BT telephone company to launch an emergency line aimed at protecting women who walk alone, as a result of the murders in London of Sarah Everard and Sabina Nessa, who have shocked the society of this country.
According to local media today, the service, called “Walk Me Home”, is still in its initial stages of development, and would allow its users to activate, through a mobile application, a tracking system GPS of the route to be made, which would activate an alert by calling 888 in case they do not reach their destination in an estimated time.
When the user reaches her destination, she has to respond to a message sent by the application, otherwise calls would be activated to emergency contacts and, later, to the police.
In statements published today to the British tabloid Daily Mail by BT CEO Philip Jansen, he referred to recent cases in London of Sarah Everard, abducted and killed by a police officer sentenced to life in prison as she returned at night alone. to his house, and to Sabina Nessa, murdered while on her way to meet a friend.
“Sexist violence is causing many people, especially women, to live in fear,” he said.
Jansen noted that “the mere existence of the 888 service should also serve to deter criminals, knowing that the alarm will go off automatically if their victim does not arrive at their destination on time, and that friends and family will start calling and alerting the police. “.
The manager, who has already raised this program with the British Home Secretary, Priti Patel, in a letter, said that the initiative still needs to be tested and that it requires funding.
As he said, the minister has indicated that “the new telephone line is exactly the type of innovative program that should be launched as soon as possible.”
A spokesman for the Interior Ministry told local media that they will respond to Jansen’s initiative “in due course.”
“As we detailed in our strategy at the beginning of the year, we need an approach that encompasses the whole of society to eradicate violence against women and girls and we welcome joint work between the private sector and the Government,” said the same source from the Executive. EFE
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