Publicis Canada launches “Calls On Call,” a personal safety app to help women and at-risk groups feel safer while navigating public places alone.
At Publicis, we are committed to driving meaningful change, particularly for women. While our office provides a safe and welcoming environment for all, we recognize the challenges that women and other vulnerable groups can encounter outside of work, challenges that we cannot always control.
The experience of traveling alone at night can be unnerving for women, affecting their sense of security. This often necessitates heightened alertness and even tactics like pretending to engage in phone conversations to enhance their sense of safety. Such constant vigilance can take a toll on mental well-being, ultimately impacting women’s ability to thrive in the workplace due to emotional and mental fatigue.
Research indicates that women are less likely to be targeted when actively engaged in phone conversations. In response to this insight, and to commemorate International Women’s Day, we are proud to introduce Calls On Call—a web app designed to empower women and other at-risk individuals by enhancing their sense of security in public spaces.
Calls On Call offers a simulated call log containing pre-recorded conversations that users can interact with, helping them feel safer during potentially perilous situations. These calls can be played aloud to deter potential threats and are supported by script prompts, ensuring a seamless flow and alleviating the stress of improvisation.
Additional features include the ability for users to add up to three trusted contacts to whom they can send location updates via SMS alerts. Moreover, users can directly contact these trusted individuals or emergency services through the app.
With Calls On Call, we aim to provide a tool that helps women regain control over their personal safety and, consequently, promote their peace of mind and well-being both inside and outside the workplace.
If you or someone you know would like to enhance their sense of safety while traveling alone, visit CallsOnCall.ca to install the web app.