After its launch on the 15th of September, the Student Safety App has already made its mark across different universities nationwide.
From attending a number of freshers’ fairs, to featuring on different TV and radio channels, to launching their very first bus campaign, the SSA team are working hard to expand the conversation around student safety and protect young people both on and off university campus.
Last week, the BBC released the results from the first sector-wide survey of sexual misconduct at universities in England, revealing that thousands of students have reported that they have been victims of sexual violence and harassment (including rape, attempted rape and unwanted touching) at university.
One victim who spoke out about her experience of harassment whilst studying, emphasised that the support she received was lacking when it came to her safety. This shows the urgent appeal of the Student Safety App.
The new app offers a discreet, practical way for young people to protect themselves and others on and around campus – with features including anonymous incident reporting (for concerns such as drink spiking, knife crime, etc), a “Track Me” and “Plan a Safe Route Home” tool, a Fake Call option to help users leave uncomfortable situations, and an SOS button that instantly shares a user’s live location with chosen contacts.
Additionally, with the app also being in line with the newly introduced OfS Condition E6 – which requires universities in England to take action to prevent and respond to harassment and sexual misconduct – it is working to effectively respond to the recent BBC findings.
This incredible initiative promises to be the subtle safety companion that students can download for free – to provide reassurance to both themselves and their parents.
Since its launch, the team have visited nine freshers’ fairs across the country to personally engage with students, exhibiting and demonstrating the app’s capabilities. For everyone who downloaded and signed up to the app, they were also given the chance to win an Amazon gift card amongst other prizes.
Feedback from these appearances showed the rewards section to be a fan-favourite amongst students – who were very excited for the discounts they could get on popular brands such as: MyProtein, Footasylum, World of Books, LG and so much more, when merely signing up to an app that is going to keep them safe.
The SSA have also featured on eleven TV and radio stations recently, with their supporters – former England, Leicester City and Liverpool footballer, Emile Heskey, and founder of the Barnaby Webber Foundation, Emma Webber – giving live interviews on the likes of GB News, LBC, Sky Sports News, Greatest Hits Radio (East Midlands) and more.
Giving an explanation of the app, what they think of it, and why they are in support of the campaign, got an incredible 9.12 million impressions, and all helped to secure over 1000 new signups to the app in such a short space of time.
The most recent SSA project to continue expanding its reach, is their new bus campaign based in Nottingham. Featuring on the ‘Double Deck Mega Rears’ on Routes 4 and 34 in Nottingham City Transport.
The Navy Line 4 (N4) bus follows a route from Nottingham City Centre to Nottingham Trent University Clifton Campus, and the Orange Line 34 (including 36U and Night Buses N34 and N36) which follows a route from Nottingham City Centre to University of Nottingham University Park Campus and onwards to Chilwell.
This was made possible by a collaboration between bus advertising specialist, Outdo, and Nottingham City Transport (NCT), where local onlookers will clearly see the app’s features and a handy QR code to the Appstore, to download the app completely free.
This is all in a bid to continue the expansion of this purpose-driven initiative and keep more students safe when at university.
