A significant gap exists between America's formal public safety infrastructure and the informal networks most women rely on when feeling unsafe, according to research commissioned by LogicMark, Inc. While the country maintains a nationwide 911 system with hundreds of thousands of law enforcement officers, many women opt to text or call friends and family instead of contacting authorities until situations become life-threatening. This habit stems from the reactive nature of traditional emergency services, which respond to crimes in progress rather than addressing the creeping sense of dread many women experience in everyday situations.
The study found that 70% of women text or call family or friends to share their whereabouts when concerned about safety, while 50% share their location through smartphone apps. However, these informal methods present significant limitations as safety precautions. There's no guarantee a friend or family member will see the message if they're asleep, away from their phone, or have their device on silent. Even if they respond, they may not know how to help effectively or accurately relay the situation to 911. Additionally, many messaging apps fail to provide precise, real-time GPS locations, making it difficult for emergency services to locate someone quickly during a crisis.
A more effective approach would blend informal networks with structured, always-available systems designed specifically for moments of uncertainty. Such systems would ideally include 24/7 monitoring to ensure alerts are received and assessed in real time, the ability to notify both trusted contacts and trained responders simultaneously, and frictionless activation that minimizes steps during emergencies. Passive safety features like timed check-ins, location sharing that activates only when needed, and wearable triggers could provide additional layers of protection when phones aren't immediately accessible.
For women to be truly safe, structured systems must eliminate the variables that cause informal networks to break down. These systems ensure help is available around the clock without concerns about missed texts, sleeping contacts, or dead batteries. They also guarantee that alerts are escalated appropriately, connecting both personal networks and emergency services without requiring users to coordinate responses during moments of panic. Critically, structured systems remove the cognitive burden of having to think clearly during emergencies while providing accurate, real-time GPS locations so emergency responders can arrive quickly.
This is the mission behind Aster, LogicMark's mobile safety app that transforms smartphones into personal protection devices. The app combines structured emergency support with social safety features, allowing users to quickly contact emergency services while simultaneously alerting friends or family with their real-time location. Multiple access methods include a home-screen slider for discreet activation, along with features like Follow Me and Hold Until Safe that let users stay connected and monitored during uncertain moments. The system also includes a compact Bluetooth button, about the size of an AirTag, that can be clipped to keychains, bags, or clothing for everyday access when a phone isn't immediately within reach.
Despite these technological solutions, research shows only 1 in 5 women use safety apps with planned check-in features. Apps like Aster are designed to mirror existing safety habits while adding automation and direct access to emergency services. This approach allows women to avoid choosing between worrying about overreacting and feeling safe, instead providing both social safety systems layered on top of structured technology with 24/7 monitoring. The implications extend beyond individual safety to broader societal considerations about how technology can supplement traditional emergency response systems and address gaps in personal security that affect millions of women daily.
