AU launched a free smartphone application that provides quick access to sexual assault resources at the Sexual Assault Forum on Sept. 27 in the Mary Graydon Center.
“This is the first time I can remember that eight universities sprawled across the city came together on a topic like sexual assault,” said Men Can Stop Rape Development Coordinator Jared Watkins.
The app, “U ASK DC,” provides the names of counselors, organizations and offices in D.C. that can assist a survivor of sexual assault in the case of an emergency.
U ASK DC also provides names and numbers of taxis and medical services.
“You don’t have to be a victim or survivor of sexual assault to use this app,” said Bryan Sullivan, a College of Arts and Sciences senior and member of Men of Strength, the AU chapter of Men Can Stop Rape, a national sexual assault prevention organization. “It’s a pocket reference for everything that you would need on campus.”
AU’s involvement with the program began less than a year ago after the Office of Victim Services approached AU with the idea, Rappaport said.
Men of Strength and the D.C. Office of Victim Services worked with D.C. schools to create the app, according to AU Sexual Assault Prevention Coordinator and Campus Victim Advocate Daniel Rappaport.
The U ASK DC project was created from a grant awarded to the Mayor’s Office of Victim Services so that they could work with eight colleges and universities in the District, according to Rappaport.
George Washington University launched the U ASK DC app on its campus Sept. 21.
Each D.C. university or college campus’ resources are available on the application and can be accessed if a student is off-campus.
“As someone who is prepared to respond at any point to this type of issue on campus, it’s really great to have that resource right there and have agencies off campus and to have access to those is a great resource,” Associate Dean of Students Michelle Espinosa said.
Espinosa announced plans to implement U ASK DC into future Eagle Summit presentations during the Sept. 27 launch.
Rappaport said campus groups like resident assistants responded positively to the simplicity of the application that is a necessary resource and addresses a serious issue.
Students have capitalized on the new app by encouraging others to use it and by creating awareness on the issue. Men of Strength worked with Men Can Stop Rape and the Office of Victim Services to urge peer downloading and promotion of U ASK DC.
“I’m trying to tell as many people as possible about how it functions and how easy and versatile it is and that it’s free, which I’m sure every college student not only appreciates but loves,” Sullivan said.
U ASK DC is compatible on most devices and will become Blackberry-compatible in November.
Eagle Staff Writer Rebecca Bartola contributed to this report.
jsmith@theeagleonline.com
