MShield
The challenge of sexual abuse among male students in Chinese universities is both deeply concerning and multifaceted. These students often grapple with numerous barriers, including a fear of speaking out, inadequate legal protection, insufficient mental health resources, and a lack of guidance following incidents of sexual violence (SV). This situation underscores the need for a more comprehensive and integrated approach to address and alleviate these issues effectively.
MShield is an innovative app developed to meet this need. It leverages blockchain technology to establish a robust support system encompassing various key functions. The app focuses on prevention by mapping historical SV incidents, providing a clearer picture of the campus safety landscape. For immediate crises, it includes an emergency support feature, enabling students to alert emergency contacts swiftly and access "Uber-like" first-response services.
In terms of guidance, MShield offers step-by-step instructions for victims and connects them to essential legal and medical counseling. The app also places a strong emphasis on evidence preservation, featuring a specially designed form to document incidents accurately and facilitate evidence collection.
Crucially, MShield provides a platform for anonymous reporting. The use of blockchain technology ensures secure, tamper-proof record-keeping, vital for holding perpetrators accountable and aiding in legal processes. Additionally, the app offers comprehensive emotional support through online forums and communities, including private chat rooms, allowing survivors to share experiences and access valuable information and support networks.
NGOs:
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Voice of Feminism
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Spring Buds Project
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Blue Sky Rescue
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Women’s Megazine
Commercial Emergency Response Services
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One-click SOS alarm service
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Wearable emergency alarm
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Location-Based Services (LBS)
Multilingual Functionality
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Campus Counseling Centres
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College Life Mentoring
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Mental Health Hotlines
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Online/Offline Private Mental Health Counseling
Social Media Platforms and Forums
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Douban
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Zhihu
Government and Campus Support Platforms
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​COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS
In China's efforts to combat sexual violence, the spectrum of products and services is categorised into five main segments: NGOs, commercial emergency response services, government and campus support platforms, mental health organisations, and social media platforms and forums. While each segment contributes valuable support, NGOs primarily focus on female victims, and there's an evident scarcity of services specifically dedicated to male survivors. The need for male victims to navigate multiple platforms for comprehensive assistance is not only cumbersome but also highlights the pressing demand for an integrated platform, one that simplifies access to the full range of necessary support specifically for male victims of sexual violence.
BACKGROUND
The issue of sexual violence (SV) among male students in Chinese universities presents a deeply concerning and complex challenge. A key aspect of this problem is the high rate of underreporting, with more than 90% of campus sexual assaults being committed by repeat offenders, a fact that highlights a systemic issue that remains largely unaddressed. This underreporting is rooted in a combination of legal, social, and technological factors, which collectively contribute to a climate where victims are reluctant to come forward. As a result, male survivors often experience severe short-term and long-term consequences of sexual abuse, such as PTSD, depression, anxiety, suicidal ideation, and substance abuse. This intricate web of contributing factors emphasises the multifaceted difficulties that male sexual abuse survivors face within university environments, pointing towards a need for a more integrated approach to address and mitigate these challenges.
SUBJECT OF STUDY
This study focuses on three key groups in the context of sexual abuse at Chinese universities. Each group offers unique insights and challenges, essential for a comprehensive understanding of the complexities surrounding sexual abuse in this setting.
Major Obstacles for Male Sexual Victims in Chinese Universities
01
Legal Factors:
The legal system in China is not adequately equipped to protect male survivors of sexual abuse, with a focus primarily on male-to-female offenses and insufficient consideration of sexual minorities.
03
Social Factors:
Social Stigma:
[Social Misconceptions]
There's a widespread belief that men are less likely to be hurt or forced into sexual acts, which undermines the seriousness of male victimisation.
[Fear of Stigmatisation regarding Sexual Orientation]
Male victims may fear being labeled as homosexual, especially if their abuser is male, adding to their reluctance to report abuse.
02
Social Factors:
Gender Stereotypes: Traditional Chinese views portray men as strong and capable of self-defense, which makes it challenging for male survivors to express their struggles and seek help.
04
Technological Factors:
Technological factors such as the lack of anonymity in reporting platforms and the risk of incidents being shared or discussed on social media platforms can significantly deter victims from reporting sexual abuse incidents, due to fears of exposure and further victimisation.
HOW DO THEY COPE WITH THE EMOTIONAL DISTRESS
Men often employ maladaptive strategies to cope with the emotional distress related to sexual abuse. These unhealthy and counterproductive methods, including self-medication, deliberate self-harm, expressive suppression, and rumination, may provide temporary relief but often exacerbate emotional distress and lead to negative outcomes in the long run. Research indicates that men report using maladaptive strategies more frequently than adaptive ones, with greater use of maladaptive strategies generally associated with worse mental health outcomes.
​ INTERVIEW
INSIGHTS
​ PERSONA
PROBLEM DEFINE
USER JOURNEY MAP
CORE FUNCTION
01
Prevent the incident
Mapping the historic SV incidents
(example - MapYourVoice)
04
Preserve Evidence
Provide special designed form to better document evidence
“Uber-like” emergency services allow victims to receive help in collecting evidence from others
02
Emergency Support
Allow students to add emergency contacts and send alerts when in danger
​Provide “Uber-like” emergency first-response services (example - Guardian Circle)​
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​Reward tokens for those who provide emergency help
05
Anonymous Reporting
Use blockchain technology to ensure temper-proof record-keeping and support survivors’ anonymity, to hold perpetrators accountable and provide evidence in legal proceedings (example - Calisto, Vault platform)
03
Provide Guidance
Provide instructions/steps for victims
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Offer legal & medical counselling
06
Emotional Support
Online forums/community​
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Include a wide range of topics and allow survivors to share experiences, get help and information
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Community/forum for survivors’ parents and partners
Chat rooms - allow private, real-time conversations among survivors (example - MaleSurvivor)
STORYBOARD
APP DESIGN
USER SCENARIO
STAKEHOLDER
