Campus safety invention ‘could save a life’

By Laura-Lee Traynor More than 1000 Murdoch students have downloaded an app designed to keep them safe on and off campus. MurdochSafe provides safety tips with a click and allows students to raise an alarm if they are feeling threatened or unsafe. The free app released in May has attracted 1,150 users, Murdoch University manager of resilience Daniel Byles says. “It gives staff and students better contact on and off campus, it allows us to look after each other,” Mr Byles says. “We contacted different locations and services around Murdoch’s campus and asked them what they would want to see or have in the app.” MurdochSafe has a panic button, links to Lifeline and access to campus security. Mark Carson from Murdoch IT Services adds: “With one click on your phone you could alert security without trying to locate the university’s panic buttons around campus. In an emergency situation the last thing you want to do is waste time looking for buttons that aren’t really in plain sight.” “It could save a life one day,” Mr Carson says. Murdoch wants to double the amount of users by next semester. Mr Byles says MurdochSafe will be reviewed next year and users will be asked for feedback about the technology ask for feedback about the technology. Further changes could be made. “We want to encourage people to get on board, not only for their safety but for others who could be struggling, it really could change a life,” Mr Byles says. Download MurdochSafe here.