Broadband's Role Against Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault: NTCA Report

"SRC's report - "Connected Technology for Survivor Safety: Mitigating Domestic Violence Risks in Rural Spaces" - emerged from a panel discussion in 2023 between Judge Frederick T. Moses of Hocking, Ohio and Liz Kohler, the founder and CEO of Nexion Solutions, which developed a broadband-enabled wearable emergency response device. The panel discussion led to a partnership between Kohler, Elizabeth Brown, the marketing manager for Panhandle Telephone Cooperative, Inc. in Guymon, Oklahoma, and Matthew Crook, operations coordinator for Northwest Domestic Crisis Services, Inc., which also is in Guymon. The tree deployed Nexion's devices in the panhandle area of Oklahoma."

""This issue carries special resonance not only where incidences of these crimes occur at proportionally higher rates in rural than urban spaces, but also where access to safety and support services may not be as readily available," Joshua Seidemann, who edited the broadband industry report about domestic violence and sexual assault. "Geographic, social and emotional isolation can combine with economic challenges to exacerbate risk factors as well as barriers to intervention and care.""

Small broadband providers can deploy broadband-connected wearable emergency-response devices to protect people at risk of domestic violence and sexual assault and to empower local service providers. A collaboration involving Nexion Solutions, Panhandle Telephone Cooperative and Northwest Domestic Crisis Services deployed such devices in the Oklahoma Panhandle, demonstrating practical adoption. Rural risk factors include geographic, social and emotional isolation combined with economic challenges that increase risk and obstruct access to safety and care. Broadband industry channels can distribute technology, coordinate with crisis services, reduce barriers to intervention, and engage in related efforts such as combating sex trafficking.

Read at Telecompetitor