Government Alert caused more angst for domestic violence sufferer’s

[PurpleDisco]

Just heard from a friend who volunteers for a DA shelter that they’ve been inundated with calls today due to the Gov alert yesterday. The main issue being that secret phones that are always on silent mode were suddenly screeching loudly with a siren sound. The emergency siren automatically bypasses silent mode it seems. These secret phones are literally a lifeline for abused women / people and this has put their lives (and possibly children’s) in even more danger than they already were. Can you imagine the abuse and turmoil some women would have gone through last night once these phones were discovered by their abusive partners? Did the Government not think of this increased risk at all?

A press conference involves people watching live TV.
Many people don't these days.
If a news flash was on the TV most people in the UK probably wouldn't see it.

The Government don't decide how the alarm is implemented, they just use the mechanism that phone manufacturers provide to all national governments. It's the manufacturers that ultimately decide this (upon advisement, I guess) so they are who you need to appeal to.

It sounds like many don't and the government could maybe put a bit more effort in. Even something low maintenance like a quarterly email, "Don't forget...."

Given that most DV charities provide basic phones to women in need it feels like switching off the national alert could easily be incorporated into standard practice when setting up safety protocols.

There IS a way to turn it off. It takes 10 seconds.

Settings...Safety and Emergency... Crisis Alerts... then just slide the little bar thing. (that's for android but equally as easy for iphone)

This was made VERY clear before the last alarm test, and then after the last alarm test DV groups and other groups made it very clear again how to do this.

I don't know what else you expect the government to do?

@andweallsingalong as said above - what else do you expect the government and the phone companies to do?

YABVU - the solution to domestic violence is to support families to move away from it, not to silence vital emergency alerts for the entire population, wrong answer to the problem being raised.