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Hollie Guard
Hollie Guard is a next generation smartphone app that provides enhanced levels of protection.
Hollie Guard
Help protect yourself, a friend or a family member with Hollie Guard.
In 2014 Hollie Gazzard was tragically murdered by her boyfriend after months of obsessive behaviour, jealousy and harassment. Following her death, Hollie’s family and the Hollie Gazzard Trust developed the Hollie Guard app which turns smartphones into enhaces personal safety devices.
The Hollie Guard app is free to download and readily available for all genders and ages. Although the app was initially designed to support victims of domestic abuse/violence, Hollie Guard can be used by anyone looking for extra protection.
A local survey conducted by the Violence Reduction Alliance (VRA) in June 2021, highlighted 67% of female respondents had experiences harassment, intimidation, or violence in a public place. 92% feared walking down subways or alleyways, followed by 90% feared walking in poorly lit areas in the night-time economy.
To help women and girls feel safer the VRA is launching this campaign as part of our commitment to tackle violence against women and girls.
Below are the key features of the app.
Nick Gazzard, Hollie’s Dad, demonstrates how to use the app in the video below.
Alert
By simply holding down the hexagon button for 3-6 seconds, this sets off an alert and activates the phone’s camera, sending a message and recording to the pre-defined emergency contacts.
Report
The report feature allows users to quickly and easily record an incident with supporting photo evidence that is automatically categorised, time stamped and geo tagged.
Stealth Mode
Stealth mode allows you to raise an alert silently while displaying a default home screen that would look inconspicuous to the attacker, thereby giving the impression that no alarm has been triggered. This feature is useful in certain situations in which raising an alert could increase the risk of harm.
Meeting Timer
The meeting timer allows users to feel safe when going into a potentially dangerous meeting or performing a dangerous task. A user set timer will countdown until deactivated meaning the user has to mark themselves as safe, otherwise raising an alert.
Journey
Journey allows users to set a start and end point. The app automatically monitors your journey and alerts your nominated contacts once you safely arrive or trigger an alert.
Resources
The Hollie Gazzard Trust has developed a range of media resources to support the campaign. Businesses and organisations can download the Partner Pack for guidance on how to use the resources along with appropriate and effective messaging to help raise awareness of the app.
Have you been a victim or witness of harassment?
Have you been a victim of harassment or would like more information about how to safety intervene? We've listed the information below to help you.
What is harrasment?
If someone’s repeatedly behaving in a way towards you that’s making you feel scared, distressed or threatened, then you may be a victim of stalking or harassment. Find out more on the relevant links.
How do I report harassment?
Staffordshire Police – If you, or someone you know, has been a victim of stalking or harassment there are a few different ways you can report it to the police.
StreetSafe – to anonymously report public places where you have felt or feel unsafe, because of environmental issues, e.g. street lighting, abandoned buildings or vandalism and/or because of some behaviours, e.g. being followed or verbally abused.
British Transport Police – The free Railway Guardian app helps you report crime to British Transport Police and provides information on what to do if you see sexual harassment on trains or at stations.
Further Information
Staffordshire Women’s Aid
www.staffordshirewomensaid.org
The Survivors Trust (Rape and Sexual Violence Services)
www.thesurvivorstrust.org
Staffordshire Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner
staffordshire-pfcc.gov.uk
Staffordshire Police
www.staffordshire.police.uk
New Era – the new holistic Domestic Abuse (DA) service operating across Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent
www.new-era.uk
End Violence Against Women (for specialist women’s support services)
www.endviolenceagainstwomen.org.uk
Suzy Lamplugh Trust (Campaigning, education and support focusing on stalking)
www.suzylamplugh.org
Help and Support available to you
Visit our Support page for further information and advice on where to go for support.
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