Gender-based violence in South Africa is a known and complex problem that doesn’t have a simple solution. Instead of merely acknowledging the issue and expressing sympathies, Vodacom uses what they do best – tech – to empower and help women. In 2020, they launched the Bright Sky SA platform, designed to tackle gender-based violence by equipping people with information on how to recognise and get out of an abusive relationship.
Bright skies are symbolic of hope for a better tomorrow and a fresh outlook full of potential and that’s exactly what the Bright Sky SA platform seeks to bring to its users.
With over 50 000 downloads, here’s a quick round-up of how the Bright Sky SA platform makes a difference.
Recognise abuse: How to spot the signs of an abusive relationship?
Imagine the trauma of the sudden twist in a relationship – the moment when someone you “mutually” love, trust and respect, finds the audacity to raise their voice, shove you, beat you, or touch you inappropriately without a care for what you want.
According to Stats SA, 50% of assaults against women are committed by someone they know. That said, it can be difficult to spot the signs of an abusive relationship. The Bright Sky SA platform helps women identify and recognise abuse, especially when it seems far-fetched and unlikely.
Even though you probably think you’re not, take the Am I at risk questionnaire to see if you are in an abusive relationship. Answer honestly. No matter the result and despite any denial, at least look at the steps on what to do next.
You can also take this questionnaire to help identify if a friend or family member is in a potentially abusive relationship.
Not all that glitters is gold. Receiving an expensive gift or excessive affection after being mistreated or assaulted is manipulation. Having a possessive partner that wants you all to themselves is not to be envied.
Seeking support: What should you do when you’ve been abused?
After the first slap, the first form of trauma, most victims are generally shocked and it’s hard to react immediately because they’re probably still trying to process what just happened. So naturally, and unfortunately, most of them hide, they give their abuser a chance to justify it, a chance to lie that will never happen again and that’s the story they end up believing.
The worst idea one can have is that one is stuck in an abusive situation – that there’s no way out. There is. Even with your five children, even if you are a stay-at-home partner and have no income, even if you had hopes of marrying the person, even if it’s scary, even if no one believes you.
Bright Sky SA guides users out of abusive relationships by providing ample resources: survivor stories, laws, organisations and contact numbers that can help users. There’s even information on how to support a friend or family member who is in an abusive relationship.
How safe is the Bright Sky SA platform?
People who are in abusive relationships usually hide. The Bright Sky SA platform has a couple of personalisation and safety features to protect your privacy:
- You can choose to use the app in your preferred language.
- The website has an emergency exit button that closes the site immediately.
- You can set a decoy app icon (weather, calendar or game) to disguise the app.
Check out this story to see more of the platform’s content features. Or better yet, download it on your on Android or iOS device. If you type in “Bright Sky SA” in your app gallery and it should come up.
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