A safety net in every pocket
A free app designed to help women feel safer in a wide range of situations has been launched by a female-led team based in Nottingham. The Female Safety App combines real-time incident reporting, 24-hour human monitoring and emergency support, with a corporate version also available for employers. The initiative is the latest addition to a suite of safety technology already used across football networks, transport systems and universities.
A personal mission rooted in childhood experience
The driving force behind the app is Alicia Redgrave, 48, who grew up in a household where domestic abuse was a daily reality. Her experiences shaped her determination to create something practical that could make a real difference. She explained: "We wanted to create something practical that puts real support in a woman's pocket whenever she needs it."
Redgrave spoke candidly about the impact of growing up in an abusive environment. "I lived in a household where domestic abuse was an everyday occurrence. I witnessed the erosion of confidence, power and self-worth that comes with living in that environment," she said. "I remember my mum wearing sunglasses in November to hide the bruises around her eyes. I also became a victim of that abuse. We lived in survival mode."
Reflecting on why such an app is still needed, she noted: "It was the 1980s, and reporting abuse often felt pointless because very little action was taken. Thankfully, attitudes have changed, and police take reports much more seriously, but many women still need a safe, discreet and simple way to seek help, record evidence and report what is happening."
How the Female Safety App works
The system allows users to report incidents directly to a dedicated control room that operates 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Trained operators can assess these reports, monitor a user's location in real time, and contact the emergency services if necessary. When areas of concern are highlighted, the control room can send out alerts to other app users in that specific location, creating a community-wide network of vigilance.
Additional features include secure storage for photographs and videos to help preserve evidence, live journey tracking, and an emergency alert. The app is designed to support women in all walks of life, whether they are experiencing stalking, harassment, coercive control, or simply feel unsafe. As Redgrave put it: "This is much more than a personal safety app. It is there for women facing abuse at home, travelling alone, walking back from the train station, going on a first date, experiencing stalking or harassment, concerned about grooming, or simply finding themselves in a situation where they don't feel safe."
"Every woman's experience is different, which is why we wanted to create a solution that supports women through every stage of life and in as many situations as possible. We wanted to make sure no woman feels she has nowhere to turn," she added.
Employer platform extends safety at work
Alongside the free public version, the team has also developed an Enterprise platform for businesses and public sector employers. The developers believe organisations have an increasingly important role to play in supporting women's safety outside of the workplace. They recognise that safeguarding should not end when an employee finishes their shift.
Redgrave emphasised this: "We also believe employers have an important role to play in supporting women's safety. More organisations are recognising that employee wellbeing extends beyond the workplace, and our Enterprise platform gives them a practical way to demonstrate that commitment while ensuring staff have immediate access to professional support whenever they need it."
Availability and mental health resources
The Female Safety App is now available to download on both the App Store and Google Play. The launch comes alongside a growing recognition of the need for accessible safety and mental health support. The article also highlights a number of helplines and support networks, including Samaritans, CALM, PAPYRUS and Mind, for anyone affected by abuse or struggling with their mental health. These services offer confidential advice and can be reached via their dedicated phone lines and websites.
