According to the National Sexual Violence Resource Center, 91% of victims of rape and sexual assault in the U.S. are female. Additionally, one in five women are raped during their lifetime. These shocking numbers point to a large, systemic problem that needs addressing from multiple perspectives.
A few tech companies have taken on the role of finding a way to expand on existing tools for personal safety. Helping women find the help they need more quickly—or simply giving them a tool to disorient a possible attacker—can make a huge difference. These wearable products prove especially useful because they can often camouflage into a woman’s outfit; some resemble jewelry pieces while others blend into a ring of keys. These products prove that personal safety can benefit from technology when the two come together in innovative ways.