Harnessing technology to protect families

StandbyU Foundation
Compassionate. Respectful. Dedicated.

Chris Boyle is transforming the lives of women and children at risk of domestic violence, with the help of a high-tech watch.

Chris founded the StandbyU Foundation to harness the power of technology to protect vulnerable families and assure them that their calls for help will be heard and will illicit an urgent response.

In a world-leading approach, Chris programs individual safety plans into a $1000 safety watch.

If a woman or child at risk activates the watch, it starts transmitting audio and their location so that family and friends included in the safety plan can take action, says Chris.

“Our charity is founded on the belief that the most vulnerable among us need protection and should never pay a cent for their safety.”

Chris says he has been overwhelmed by calls and emails from social workers requesting the technology for their clients.

He says 75 per cent of women feel safer with the watch and many report being able to leave their home without feeling unsafe.

“The current systems are not addressing the scourge of domestic violence,” Chris says.

“We harness the power of families, friends and communities with technology to keep children, youth and adults safe from child abuse and domestic and family violence.”

Westfield Local Heroes are nominated and voted for by their communities, with the three top finalists per Westfield centre each awarded a $10,000 grant for their affiliated organisation. The StandbyU Foundation will provide 10 watches to vulnerable women and children in the Garden City area.

For further information on the Westfield Local Heroes program, click here