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Ï㽶ÊÓƵ graduate, Nahla O’Rourke, has designed an innovative and stylish bracelet that helps women feel safe when out and about alone

Press contact: Emma Griffiths | e.griffiths@shu.ac.uk

Nahla created The Venus Project in the final year of her Product Design course and was inspired by her own and her friend’s experiences of street harassment and fear. 

The bracelet has been designed to be wearable and fashionable and not stand out as an obvious safety feature like some smart watches or other personal safety devices might. 

Its features work through the activation of a hidden button, where one, two and three presses activate different features - all designed to help women stay safe in their daily lives. 

One press activates the user's phone to start ringing with a fake phone call, allowing them to escape uncomfortable conversations or leave a room. Two presses sends a custom message to the user's chosen friends and family with their location. Three presses will start the user's phone to start audio recording - providing them with valuable proof if they choose to go to the police.

Nahla said: “I was inspired by my own experiences as a young woman and wanted to create a network of sisters. My friends were a huge inspiration, and it was our stories of street harassment, fear, and low hums of danger in our daily lives that inspired me to create The Venus Project.

“Throughout the development of different features on the bracelet and app, I was always referring to real experiences of women I knew. I did a deep dive on each of their stories and really tried to create features which would've helped them in these situations.

“My project started off with the initial aim of helping to give young women peace of mind. However, the more research I've done and each person I have talked to has broadened my scope. Further down the line, I could develop branches which target other audiences.”

The bracelet also has a companion app with extra safety features, including a smart map where women can report instances of catcalling or broken streetlights to help other users potentially avoid those areas and get home safely. 

The app also has a check-in feature to let friends know that they have made it home safely after a night out or late shift at work, and there is also mental health support and advice. 

Nahla is now looking to bring her product to market; you can sign up the waitlist on The Venus Project’s website: venusproject.co.uk or follow on Instagram @venus.safety