The ‘Be there’ app provides tips to spot the signs of an unhealthy relationship and advice on intervening safely to protect friends and family impacted by violence.

Launched this week in Brisbane, the app was developed by the Motivating Action Through Empowerment (MATE) Bystander program in partnership with the Queensland Government and Telstra.

Director of the MATE Bystander program Shaan Ross-Smith said it would empower people to be there for friends and family.

“The app will empower bystanders with the information they need to make informed decisions and intervene in safe and respectful ways,” Ms Ross-Smith said.

“MATE already delivers person-to-person training, online webinars and other modules and the Be there app is another way to empower us to challenge a conversation, behaviour or a sense that something isn’t ok, before it is too late.”

Ms Ross-Smith said the app was the first of its kind and the partnership between Griffith University, state government and Telstra demonstrated a united front to tackling domestic and family violence.

“It’s been a fantastic collaboration between the MATE Bystander program, government and private enterprise,” she said.

“By itself, the app won’t stop domestic and family violence, but we want to help people look for the signs of violence, provide support and report it.”

Queensland Attorney-General and Minister for the Prevention of Domestic and Family Violence Shannon Fentiman said the app was a vital part of the Government’s domestic and family violence prevention strategy.

“Across the State our communities have been deeply impacted by recent tragic events and we know people want to do more to put a stop to violence against women,” she said.

“We’re trying to make it easier for Queenslanders to identify what DFV is and be able to respond earlier and appropriately to what can usually be a complex and difficult situation.

“Griffith University have really been leading the way in working with bystanders and the community to play their part to tackle domestic and family violence. I’m so proud of this partnership.”

“We are really proud to have partnered with Telstra Purple, our technology services arm, to work with Griffith University and the State Government to develop the software and design work needed for this incredibly important resource,” Telstra’s General Manager of Queensland Government Business Gaven Nicholls said.

Griffith University’s MATE Program is an education and intervention project that helps challenge problematic behaviour around domestic violence, including coercive control.

The app is now available to download in the App store and Google Play.