isawRISK App
isawRISK is a quick online self-assessment tool that helps users get a sense of their risk level related to intimate partner violence and abuse. Available in many different languages, it provides information about local support services that could assist someone with their next steps.
Our Purpose
Identifying risk based on information and having knowledge of services to make informed choices about safety is critical for women. isawRISK wants to empower users in their decision-making by offering information that can help increase someone’s understanding about what they may be experiencing. This can help people make informed choices about next steps based on their own self-assessment.
Like many abused women, immigrant women may underestimate their own risk of re-assault and especially of lethality or near lethality (Campbell, 2004; Heckert & Gondolf, 2000; Messing et al, 2013).
isawRISK is by no means a replacement for risk identification services that have been provided by victim services and community service providers for many years. Rather, it is an additional tool that may help users self-identify if and when they need to seek out supports and services.
Background
A very small number of immigrant women disclose violence to healthcare and justice professionals. Yet many women seek medical services for health injuries that include the physical, psychological and emotional trauma they endure. Seeking help from police for safety is often a last resort for many immigrant women.
Our Team
Harjit Kaur, PhD, MA (Psychology)
Co-Founder & CEO, isawSAFETY Inc.
Harjit Kaur has worked in the anti-violence sector for over 20 years supporting women with lived experience at a variety of violence prevention organizations in British Columbia, Canada. In addition to her grassroots experience providing front-line services to survivors of violence, her distinguished background includes research, project management, training, coordination and collaboration, national and international consultation and policy development.
She has a PhD, an MA in Counselling Psychology and is a Registered Clinical Counsellor. Her work experience in the anti-violence sector includes providing counselling, crisis support, leadership in program and project management and intersectoral coordination.
Fluent in English, Punjabi and Malay, Harjit’s awareness about the crucial need for immigrant women impacted by violence to be able to access resources and services in their own language led her to co-create the isawRISK self-assessment tool.
Manjeet Singh Usma, PhD(c), MSc. (IT), BEng.(Mechanical)
Co-Founder & CTO, isawSAFETY Inc.
Manjeet manages isawRISK’s innovative technology platform which enable easy access to helpseeking services for vulnerable individuals. He is a researcher with interests in applying user-centred analytics in the design and development of innovative technology-intensive applications, to enhance user engagements and usability. He is also an IT Consultant in his own software company and assists clients in developing applications with are technology focused and user centered.
Manjeet has been involved in the development of applications focused on helping survivors of domestic violence to be better informed and easily get help online. He has presented at the “Stop Domestic Violence” conferences and workshops in Australia, sharing his research in designing and developing effective online help-seeking applications.
Manjeet has more than 25 years’ experiences in areas of new and emerging technologies and has fluency in six Asian languages. His credentials include a Bachelor in Mechanical Engineering (B.Eng) degree from the Nanyang Technological University (Singapore) with specialisation in Human Computer Interaction (HCI), Human Factors (HF) Engineering. He has a M.Sc. Research (IT) degree from Deakin University (Australia) and is currently pursing his PhD.
Acknowledgement
The isawRISK project builds on the numerous hours of dedicated work that has been done by everyone making a difference to end violence against women in intimate relationships and create change and safety for women and children, families and individuals. We honour their work.
