How can you play a part in the protection against domestic violence?
Domestic violence is a prevalent issue that affects individuals of all ages, races, and genders. It is essential to take steps to protect against domestic violence and seek help if you or someone you know is a victim. That’s why mCare Digital, an Australian-owned and operated company, has made it their mission to provide support and protection to those affected by domestic violence.
They have been working with state government agencies and community care organizations to offer support programs for clients who have experienced family and domestic violence since 2014.
Personal safety devices aiding the protection against domestic violence
To aid in protection against domestic violence, mCare Digital offers two innovative safety duress alarm devices – the mCareWatch Safety Alarm and the mCareMate Emergency Pendant Safety Alarm. Both duress alarm devices have 4G connectivity, which do not require connection to a smartphone and are able to make and receive voice calls. Working with state governments and specialised domestic violence support programs, both devices have been customised to operate in silent or “stealth” mode, providing a discreet way for the client to activate a duress alarm in dangerous situations where perpetrators might be nearby. This is a crucial feature as it allows clients to reach out for help without alerting their perpetrator, increasing their chances of staying safe and getting the necessary help.
The mCareWatch Safety Alarm is a multi-functional device that provides a range of safety features to help victims of domestic violence. It’s a reliable personal alarm, GPS and Wi-Fi tracker, and mobile phone capabilities make it an all-in-one safety duress solution for those in need of safety and protection. The device is also water-resistant, stylish, and easy to recharge in just over 1 hour. The device’s silent “stealth” mode allows the wearer to activate an SOS alert by pressing the side SOS button, which activates the SOS and sends the alert directly to the 24/7 monitoring Bureau, who receive the alert and then immediately call into the device. When the monitoring operator dials into the device, it will not make any sound but only vibrate when the call is automatically answered. The monitoring bureau operator will then listen, record, and respond to incidents without the wearer having to do anything. This is crucial for victims of family and domestic violence who can activate the SOS alert discreetly and without alerting the perpetrator that they have activated an SOS.
In a genuine emergency, the monitoring bureau operator can locate the wearer’s location and access their profile details (address, physical description, perpetrator’s details and history of domestic violence). All this information is immediately passed onto the police, who are dispatched to the wearer’s location.
The mCareMate Emergency Pendant Safety Alarm is an easy-to-use personal alarm, and the size of a garage remote control that can be discreetly carried with a key ring. It’s GPS and Wi-Fi enabled, stylish, and has a longer battery life of between 3-4 days. The pendant emergency alarm is also configured in silent “stealth” mode, so the 24/7 monitoring bureau can dial into the device and listen, record, and respond to emergency situations, without the client having to touch any buttons on the device. This makes it an ideal option for victims of family and domestic violence who need quick and reliable access to help. The key ring included with the device makes it easy to carry and accessible in case of an emergency.
Safety duress alarm devices a quick and reliable way to activate an SOS call in situations of family and domestic violence
Both safety duress alarm devices are pre-set and ready to use out of the box. The customer care team will provide the follow up support and training to ensure the client understands how to use the device, recharge and activate an SOS alert. During this follow up support call with the client, a test SOS alert is also made with the 24/7 monitoring bureau to make sure the device is operating as required. When the SOS alert is received by the monitoring bureau operator, they will dial into the device and the client will confirm they felt the vibration when the device automatically answered the incoming call from the operator.
The mCare Digital duress alarms provide a quick and reliable protection against domestic violence by activating an SOS call and reaching out for help in dangerous situations. One of the benefits of using these type of duress alarms is their discreet nature. The mCareWatch Safety Alarm looks like a generic sports watch and the watch face has no branding or SOS button to alert anyone that this is being used as a safety duress alarm.
In recent years we have seen mobile apps with SOS capability being used as a safety duress alarm. Although this may be a cheaper option, if a victim needs to activate an SOS alert, being able to access their smartphone and opening the special SOS app to trigger an SOS alert may not be possible if the perpetrator is nearby. Our duress alarm devices are easily accessible and can be discreetly activated without the perpetrator being aware. The disadvantage of the mobile app is that it may not be within the client’s reach to activate, especially if the perpetrator has been able to take their smartphone off them.
24/7 Grade 1 Monitoring Service supporting our clients
Working with a 24/7 Grade 1 Monitoring Bureau centre, who is trained in this area ensures that they are available to provide the necessary care and emergency response, following special domestic violence service protocols. This means that clients with a duress alarm can feel a sense of security and safety knowing that they can get emergency assistance 24/7. The monitoring bureau support centre’s protocols are specifically designed to handle incidents of domestic violence, ensuring that victims receive the appropriate care and support.
Domestic violence is a serious issue that affects millions of people worldwide. If you or someone you know is a victim, it’s essential to seek help and protection. mCare Digital’s mCareWatch Safety Alarm and mCareMate Emergency Pendant Safety Alarm provide a discreet and reliable way for victims to activate an SOS in dangerous situations. With its 24/7 monitoring bureau support centre, mCare Digital is committed to providing the necessary care and emergency response to those affected by domestic violence. These duress alarm devices can give victims the peace of mind and security they need to stay safe and get the help they need.
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Hi. In the wake of the recent DV murder in Queensland, I began to wonder if there was a duress alarm system for victims of domestic violence and what could be incorporated into such a device. I was very pleased to find your product on the internet. I was wondering if it was not possible to incorporate some voice activation software. The reason being is that the victim may be prevented from pressing a button on the device. Could the device be programmed to recognise the voice of the perpetrator and if it hears that voice immediately dial in to the call centre?
Also, in custody cases where the non custodial parent tries to unlawfully coerce the children to go with them, the children’s device could dial in to the call centre as well.
I understand that there would be hurdles involved in getting the perpetrator to record their voice but this could be something the courts could compel them to do.
I am also an advocate of having perpetrators of domestic violence undergo a psychiatric assessment to see if they can be helped to overcome any violent of coercive tendencies but also, at the same time, to profile them and determine the likelihood that they may visit violence upon their partner or children.
Kind regards
Sonny
Hi Sonny, thank you for your comment and feedback. We have been supporting service providers that support people affected from family and domestic violence since 2014. We are also the sole provider of duress alarms for the NSW government ‘Staying Home Leaving Violence (SHLV) program. Unfortunately we are not permitted to promote this on our website as we need to keep it very low keen and not promote the fact you can use our devices in this situation. The watch and pendant that you can see on our website can be set up in “stealth” mode or silent mode and will not make any sound or make an SOS call. To trigger an SOS, the wearer can press the side button and this will activate the SOS and our 24/7 monitoring bureau will respond by dialling into the device (without calling) and automatically answer the call. The operator will listen and escalate to the police if there is a genuine emergency. Your suggestion to incorporate the voice activation is being tested on our new mCareWatch (due for release next month), however, this will take time to test further and implement. Thank you again for your message and if there is anything we can do to support your work, please reach out to me at paul@mcaredigital.com.au Thank you, Paul
Hi McareDigital,
First of all, thankyou for building and innovating a safety device especially for victims of domestic violence and abuse. This kind of discreet S.O.S system has been an idea I’ve wondered existed and I’m glad it does.
I was wondering if your team has considered advertising your products more, having advocate figures endorsing it or even filing it out to DV support services so they can help victims access them?
I think advertising through major national TV channels such as Seven news, 9 win news would bring exposure to the product and more discussions to preventing violence, terror, assault and other societal concerns.
As for endorsement, I could suggest you reach out to credible figures in advocacy and ethics, for example 2021 Australian of the year Grace Tame who advocated for survivors of sexual assault.
Having escaped from a DV situation myself with a young child, I was thankfully given a lot of support and I think having knowledge of such personal protection devices would have given me an extra layer of security?
Thank you for your innovation again and I would love to hear your thoughts
Helen
Hi Helen,
Thank you so much for your beautiful message and for taking the time to share your ideas with us.
First and most importantly, it is incredibly brave of you to speak about your experience of domestic violence, especially having gone through this with a young child. We are very glad you were able to get support and reach safety. Messages like yours are a powerful reminder of why we do this work.
You have raised some excellent suggestions around awareness, advocacy and access. We completely agree that discreet safety technology is only helpful if people know it exists and can access it at the right time.
Our team is already working to build more partnerships with family and domestic violence services, community organisations and support programs, so they can help clients learn about and use our devices where appropriate. We are also exploring broader awareness opportunities – including media, social channels and collaborations with advocates – in ways that are safe, trauma‑informed and respectful of the DV sector’s expertise.
Your thoughts about working with credible advocates and survivor‑focused leaders are very valuable, and we will take your suggestions on board as we plan future initiatives. Careful collaboration with people and organisations already deeply trusted in this space is essential, and your comment reinforces that.
If you are comfortable and ever wish to share more about what kind of information or support would have helped you earlier – for example, where you would have most likely seen or heard about a product like ours – we would be very grateful to learn from you. You are also welcome to contact me directly via info@mcaredigital.com.au if that feels safer or more appropriate than replying here.
Thank you again, Helen, for your courage, your kindness, and for helping us think about how to better reach and support people facing domestic and family violence.
Warm regards,
Paul (Co-Founder, mCare Digital).
I am requesting consideration for a duress alarm for a client due to current concerns regarding her personal safety. Her ex-partner has recently been released from prison, and she reports that he is a repeat offender. She has expressed significant concern for her safety following his release and is fearful that he may attempt to contact or approach her.
Given the reported history and her current safety concerns, I believe access to a duress alarm would be an appropriate additional safety measure.
Hi Dara,
Thank you for reaching out and for outlining these serious safety concerns.
We understand how important it is for your client to feel supported and able to access help quickly if she feels at risk.
We provide personal duress alarm solutions designed to help connect users to assistance in an emergency. To discuss the most appropriate option for your client’s circumstances, please contact our Customer Care team directly via email at help@mcaredigital.com.au so we can understand the requirements, explain available features and services and assist with next steps.
Thank you,
Paul