DV Assist SafeSend: A Privacy-Focused Tool to Help Survivors of Domestic Violence in India

Parikshit Khanna
Aug 29
3 min read

Domestic violence remains a serious and underreported issue in India. Survivors often face barriers when seeking help—fear of retaliation, lack of safe channels, and limited trust in reporting mechanisms.

DV Assist SafeSend aims to fill this gap by offering a browser-based, client-side tool that allows women and girls to discreetly capture photo evidence and share it securely with verified police WhatsApp lines, where available.

How DV Assist SafeSend Works

1. Capture Evidence Safely

On Mobile: Quick capture via phone camera.
On Desktop/Laptop: Uses webcam for still photos.
Privacy by Default: All images are re-encoded locally, with EXIF data (like GPS location) removed to prevent unintended disclosure.

2. Auto-Routing to Police Contacts

Suggests the correct WhatsApp number based on state/district, with a manual override option.
Generates a pre-filled distress message in English or Hindi, with placeholders for {district} and {state}.

3. WhatsApp Integration

Mobile Browsers: Automatically attaches text + photo for direct WhatsApp sharing.
Desktop: Opens WhatsApp Web with the message ready; survivors can manually attach the image.

4. Built-in Safety Features

Quick Exit: Redirects to Google.com instantly.
Discreet Mode: Masks the page as “Notes.”
Panic Wipe: Deletes all local data and preferences.
Client-Side Only: No data is uploaded to external servers.

Privacy and Data Protection

No Server Storage: All processing happens on the user’s device.
Metadata Removed: Photos are stripped of EXIF and geolocation data.
Optional Preferences: Language or template settings are stored locally and can be deleted anytime.
Encryption Limitations: While WhatsApp is end-to-end encrypted, once evidence is sent, it is subject to police and WhatsApp’s data handling.

Guidelines for Safe Use

Emergency First: Always dial 112 in immediate danger.
Verify Numbers: Confirm WhatsApp police contacts via official state police websites. Numbers may change.
Risk Awareness: Avoid use if devices are monitored by abusers.
Evidence in Court: Survivors may need Section 65B certification under the Indian Evidence Act, 1872 for admissibility.
Safe Devices Only: Use personal, non-monitored devices. Clear browsing history after use.

Legal and Regulatory Framework

Indian Evidence Act, 1872: Allows digital records as evidence with proper certification.
Information Technology Act, 2000: Governs handling of electronic evidence.
Puttaswamy Judgment (2017): Guarantees privacy rights, though voluntarily shared data falls under police investigation rules.
Women’s Helplines: Dedicated numbers like 1090 (UP) and 1091 (Delhi) remain primary channels; WhatsApp is supplementary.

Disclaimer

DV Assist SafeSend is a prototype support tool, not an official government service.
It does not guarantee police response. Survivors must prioritize emergency helplines (112, women’s hotlines).
Users must verify police WhatsApp numbers before sharing sensitive data.
NGOs and developers deploying this tool must ensure compliance with Indian data protection laws.

Why DV Assist SafeSend Matters

DV Assist SafeSend is a step toward empowering survivors with digital safety tools. Its success depends on collaboration between NGOs, law enforcement, and state governments to:

Keep helpline numbers up to date.
Ensure secure handling of evidence.
Provide survivors with legal aid and counseling support.

Key Takeaways

SafeSend is supplementary, not a replacement for emergency calls.
Privacy-first design ensures no external storage or data leaks.
Survivors should always use verified official channels and seek legal assistance when submitting evidence.

Final Note

Always dial 112 first in emergencies. Use WhatsApp evidence reporting only as a secondary support tool when official channels are confirmed safe.