I am Katy Longhurst, the founder and CEO of Ask Joan.
I have developed an AI-based software which tracks rhythmic energy spikes in household appliances, to provide a discrete and inconspicuous way for those in need to raise the alarm without making a sound. Turning an appliance on, off, on, off rhythmically, triggers an alert to be sent to predetermined emergency contacts, like an Independent Domestic Violance Advisor (IDVA), friend or even the police. It is simple to use, operates at no cost to the user, and once installed isn’t visible to the abuser.
In 2010 I found myself in the height of a new relationship, he was ex special forces, worked in security, and wildly passionate, things seemed good. Around 6 months after we started seeing each other, his passionate disposition had evolved into a violent one. What started as late night phone calls from his ex-partners, morphed into being tracked and bugged, having my independence stripped away, and my finances confiscated. Culminating in him tracking my phone to a night club, and breaking my nose and several of my ribs. While he was restrained by several onlookers, I finally began to see him for what he was.
What followed was a systematic, organised assault of myself, my family, and my friends, he weaponised the love I had shown him and mobilised his friends and family in a network of bodies stacked against me. He needed me to feel my life was over. I refused to allow him that power. This is what inspired me to create Ask Joan.
When the abuse started, I would offer to make him a cup of tea to calm him down and with no way to call for help without him knowing, I wished I could raise the alarm through the kettle or the toaster. So, I made it happen.
Your money will go to the expansion of our team, and develop our operational model to allow us to further tailor our product to survivor feedback, and roll out to as many areas of the country (and beyond) as possible. We already have sites in some council areas across the country, but need your help to expand further.
Our mission is to make it possible for anyone to raise an alarm if they feel unsafe, anywhere in the house, at any time. Taking the power from the abuser, and giving it back to the victim. We want every victim of abuse to feel empowered, and we need your help to do that.
To date we have built the application and this is now on Apple and Android, we have signed up 5 pilot sites incluidng 3 councils, 1 police force and 2 charities. The next stage of growth will allow us to onboard more support workers to deploy and support the system and for technical enhancement to the AI to increase detection models.