Meg CopWatch apps launched as SOS button for female in distress

Syllad | The Rising MeghalayaMarch 9, 2022

Commemorating the International Women’s Day in the highest order, the Meghalaya Police on Tuesday launched the Meg CopWatch Application, a specialized mobile application for women in distress.

How the apps function: the application has an in-built panic button that provides an alert to the nearest police station, police control room and to friends and family of the user for quick response and intervention by the police.

How to avail the app: It is available on Google Play Store for downloading by citizens of Shillong.

Why was the apps developed:  The need of the application was felt as a supervisory officer sifting through multiple cases of POCSO and sexual assault on women on a daily basis.

It was noticed that many cases of sexual assault go unreported especially when the perpetrators are family members/ friends of the victim and also because of shame or stigma associated with the commission of such crimes.

The situation had to be remedied as after all every victim of sexual assault or any kind of abuse must be helped, counselled, provided a sense of justice and safety.

Expectation after launched of the App: It was realised that the reporting of assault cases may increase if the victim has an option to report a case of sexual assault when she is still under the shock of the incident, when she is panicked, scared, in distress. And also if she is confident that help will come her way.

Effectiveness of the App: Providing a panic button on her phone, a device that all carry along with themselves 24*7, is essential. Such ideas were first conceptualised in the wake of the Nirbhaya incident in 2012 and hence the MegCopWatch App has been launched for the betterment of the public.

Coverage of the Apps: Today, the police are launching the application for Shillong city but shortly it shall be extended to all of East Khasi Hills and thereafter to all districts of Meghalaya.

In fact, our police teams across the state, not just in Shillong have already been trained to respond to the application and the generate distress calls.

This application will work in tandem with the recently launched National Emergency Response System 112 and will enhance its capabilities.