Thrive: a one stop app for women
Designing an app that helps women in abusive situations by providing them with resources and support right at their fingertips
Project type:
:
My Role:
Project timeline :
Tools :
University project
Overview :
a mobile application designed to support and empower young women in violent situations, providing discreet access to resources, legal guidance, emergency help, and secure evidence storage. The app prioritises privacy and safety, ensuring that users can seek assistance without fear of detection.
The Problem
A Solution for Women in Crisis
The Struggles of Women in Abusive Situations: A Deeper Dive
Women who have experienced violence often face significant barriers in accessing timely and effective support, including lack of awareness about available resources, social stigma, and limited access to secure communication channels. Existing solutions may not fully address the diverse needs of survivors, such as emotional support, legal guidance, and practical tools to help them regain independence.
Solution
Background:
I started by researching the situation and looking into statistics and factors that explain why women may be hesitant to report their abuse, as well as the common issues they may face.
Key Findings
Prevalence of Violence: According to WHO, women worldwide have experienced some form of physical violence by a partner.
Global Statistics: Nearly one-third of women aged 15-49 who have been in a relationship report experiencing physical and/or sexual violence.
Lack of Formal Reporting:
A study in Chicago found that:
82% of women did not contact any agency or counsellor.
72% did not seek medical attention.
Seeking Help Within Personal Networks:
While only 24% of women did not seek help at all, the majority relied on their personal networks rather than professional resources.
This highlights the importance of simply listening and providing support, though it does not replace professional help.
There is a need for broader access to education and resources for both victims and those supporting them.
Barriers to Reporting Abuse:
Fear of losing custody of their children.
Immigration concerns and potential legal consequences.
Overwhelming system navigation, including legal proceedings, medical bills, and paperwork.
The added stress of seeking help on top of existing trauma.
Figma
Adobe illustrator
Miro
11 weeks
Thrive is an all-in-one app designed for women in abusive situations and those who support them. It addresses the complex realities of abuse, acknowledging that leaving isn’t always a simple solution. The app offers education, resources, and tools that empower users, while providing a system that understands and supports their unique journey toward safety and healing.
Ux research
Designing
Prototyping
Testing
Branding
Competitive Analysis :
User interviews:
Through Their Eyes: The Survivor’s Perspective
I interviewed four victims who have experienced various forms of abuse, including parental abuse, domestic violence, and peer bullying. My goal was to gain first-hand insight into their experiences, understand the role technology played in their recovery, and further explore their needs.
Expert interview:
Common Struggles:
Lack of resources
Needed someone who listened
Resources often caused more issues than solutions
To understand more about the field, I interviewed a lawyer who advocates for victims in the Sessions Court and High Court in India.
Due to the trauma they've face often they're in need of someone who will listen and emphasise wuth them
Key insights:
The victims often didn't know their Legal rights
Often struggled with lack of finances
While all these apps addressed the users' needs, each one overlooked some aspect, which is why I wanted to create an all-in-one app that would be right at their fingertips.
Exploring existing solutions.
Ideation and design:
Turning Insights into Solutions
User flows:
User Journey:
Low fidelity wire framing:
Here are some sketches of me exploring the different features in throughout the app
Mid fidelity wire framing:
Branding:
High fidelity Prototype:
Building an Identity: Crafting the Thrive Brand
After brainstorming possible layouts and features a started to develop wireframes
Buttons
Color palette
Typography
App Logo
Headings
Subheading
#F48B83
#FFD4D2
#CDBEF0
#D6CDEA
#5C3D6F
Women’s News
Where to start
it’s okay to reach out. we’re here to guide and support you.
Chief Theresa Kachindamoto stands against child marraige.
Quick Exit!
24/7 Support Available
Learn now
Find Nearby Shelters
More info
Empower Yourself with Knowledge
Chat now
Map
Folder
Live chat
Home
Learn
0
=
+
3
1
1
2
-
9
7
8
6
4
5
Ac
Age group
What is your age group?
under 13
13-17
18-24
25 or older
Next
Quick Exit!
Learn
Understand abuse. Know your rights. Take control.
Find accessible, affordable resources to help you take the next step.
Resources
Quick Exit!
Your Legal Rights
How to file a report
Learn
Signs Of Abuse
Learn
Pack an emergency bag
Learn
Tech safety
Learn
Healthy vs Toxic Relationship
Learn
Learn
Lawyers
More info
More info
Shelters
Medical
More info
Map
Folder
Live chat
Home
Learn
Signs of abuse
Physical abuse
Physical abuse involves any form of physical harm , threat or injury
Signs
Unexplained bruises, cuts, injuries.
Being pushed, slapped, kicked or restrained
Fear of your partner’s anger or physical reactions
Next
Quick Exit!
Quick Exit!
Map
Folder
Live chat
Home
Learn
Category
Availability
Capacity
Specialised services
Shelters
24 hours
Emergency intake
Adults
Children
Infants
Child care
Multi lingual
Housing
Mental health support
Legal support
Police stations
Hospitals
Quick Exit!
Connect with a trained volunteer for support. This chat is 100% private and secure—your safety and confidentiality are our priority. If you're in danger and can't talk, type 'EMERGENCY,' and we’ll assist you discreetly. To begin, press the 'Chat Now' button, and one of our volunteers will be with you shortly.
Chat now
Quick Exit!
Map
Folder
Live chat
Home
Learn
Emergency.
How can I help you?
Chat started
28/01/25
10:00am
I need support.
I need help assessing my situation.
Quick Exit!
Map
Folder
Live chat
Home
Learn
City
Language
Norwich
App icon
Quick Exit!
You have an update on your case!
Quick Exit!
1
4
2
3
9
5
8
0
7
6
Enter passcode
This section is protected by your passcode. Only you can access it to ensure your privacy
Quick Exit!
* * * *
Map
Folder
Live chat
Home
Learn
Photos
Videos
Audio
Files
Quick Exit!
Map
Folder
Live chat
Home
Learn
Photos
Quick Exit!
Thrive’s branding is designed to be calm, reassuring, and supportive in order to create a safe space for users seeking help. The tone is gentle yet clear, fostering trust without urgency or pressure.
The icon was designed to represent women's empowerment. I chose the mimosa flower, a symbol of victory during the women's rights movement in the Second World War, to reflect strength and resilience
A calculator disguise to hide the app from the abuser—since tech abuse is a common form of abuse today, the abuser often goes through the victim's phone.
A short questionnaire at the start of the app to provide the user with the most personalized experience.
A homepage featuring positive women's news to empower users.
An educational feature that informs women about their legal rights based on their location, how to file a report, how to pack an emergency bag, and provides free and affordable resources for lawyers, shelters, and medical care.
An educational section on the signs of abuse that will educate users and provide resources if they resonate with the information.
A map showing the nearest shelters, hospitals, and police stations.
A filter with options for specific needs, such as emergency intake, the number of beds required at a shelter, or whether the user will be accompanied by children.
A
St Martins Housing trust
Specialised services
Martins house, 120 thrope
Open 24 hours
Open 24 hours
Martins house, 120 thrope
01708665504
2 beds open
Provides child care
Multi lingual
Security measures in place
Mental health support
Wheel chair accessible
Call
Directions
Quick Exit!
An overlay with more detailed information, such as specialized services and the number of available beds.
A 24/7 live chat with a trained volunteer available for support, to assess the user’s situation, or for emergencies when the user can't call the police themselves.
security passcode protecting the evidence storage feature.
A storage section for evidence, which would be securely stored on the app rather than the device, providing a safe space from the abuser.
A settings page where the user can change their location, language, and app icon.
A notification section for updates on their legal cases.
Quick Exit!
A security button on every page, allowing the user to quickly exit to a security screen in case of emergency.
Usability tests
I conducted four usability tests. The main issues all the participants faced were related to prototyping problems.
The users liked the security features and the branding.
Final product
RESUME
chichgarnainaz@gmail.com
linkedin.com/in/nainaz-chichgar
Interested in working together? Let’s connect!
Learn the Signs. Take Control.
24/7 help anytime
Guide to safe spaces near you
Designing an app that helps women in abusive situations by providing them with resources and support right at their fingertips
Project type:
:
University project
Tools :
Figma
Adobe illustrator
Miro
My Role:
Ux research
Designing
Prototyping
Testing
Branding
Project timeline :
11 weeks
Thrive: a one stop app for women
Overview :
A Solution for Women in Crisis
Thrive is an all-in-one app designed for women in abusive situations and those who support them. It addresses the complex realities of abuse, acknowledging that leaving isn’t always a simple solution. The app offers education, resources, and tools that empower users, while providing a system that understands and supports their unique journey toward safety and healing.
Women who have experienced violence often face significant barriers in accessing timely and effective support, including lack of awareness about available resources, social stigma, and limited access to secure communication channels. Existing solutions may not fully address the diverse needs of survivors, such as emotional support, legal guidance, and practical tools to help them regain independence.
The Problem
a mobile application designed to support and empower young women in violent situations, providing discreet access to resources, legal guidance, emergency help, and secure evidence storage. The app prioritises privacy and safety, ensuring that users can seek assistance without fear of detection.
Solution
Background:
The Struggles of Women in Abusive Situations: A Deeper Dive
I started by researching the situation and looking into statistics and factors that explain why women may be hesitant to report their abuse, as well as the common issues they may face.
Key Findings
Prevalence of Violence: According to WHO, women worldwide have experienced some form of physical violence by a partner.
Global Statistics: Nearly one-third of women aged 15-49 who have been in a relationship report experiencing physical and/or sexual violence.
Lack of Formal Reporting:
A study in Chicago found that:
82% of women did not contact any agency or counsellor.
72% did not seek medical attention.
Seeking Help Within Personal Networks:
While only 24% of women did not seek help at all, the majority relied on their personal networks rather than professional resources.
This highlights the importance of simply listening and providing support, though it does not replace professional help.
There is a need for broader access to education and resources for both victims and those supporting them.
Barriers to Reporting Abuse:
Fear of losing custody of their children.
Immigration concerns and potential legal consequences.
Overwhelming system navigation, including legal proceedings, medical bills, and paperwork.
The added stress of seeking help on top of existing trauma.
Exploring existing solutions.
While all these apps addressed the users' needs, each one overlooked some aspect, which is why I wanted to create an all-in-one app that would be right at their fingertips.
User interviews:
Through Their Eyes: The Survivor’s Perspective
Competitive Analysis :
I interviewed four victims who have experienced various forms of abuse, including parental abuse, domestic violence, and peer bullying. My goal was to gain first-hand insight into their experiences, understand the role technology played in their recovery, and further explore their needs.
Common Struggles:
Needed someone who listened
Resources often caused more issues than solutions
Expert interview:
To understand more about the field, I interviewed a lawyer who advocates for victims in the Sessions Court and High Court in India.
Often struggled with lack of finances
The victims often didn't know their Legal rights
Ideation and design:
Due to the trauma they've face often they're in need of someone who will listen and emphasise wuth them
Lack of resources
Key insights:
Turning Insights into Solutions
User flows:
User Journey:
Low fidelity wire framing:
Here are some sketches of me exploring the different features in throughout the app
After brainstorming possible layouts and features a started to develop wireframes
Mid fidelity wire framing:
Building an Identity: Crafting the Thrive Brand
#FFD4D2
#CDBEF0
#D6CDEA
#5C3D6F
buttons
Branding:
Thrive’s branding is designed to be calm, reassuring, and supportive in order to create a safe space for users seeking help. The tone is gentle yet clear, fostering trust without urgency or pressure.
The icon was designed to represent women's empowerment. I chose the mimosa flower, a symbol of victory during the women's rights movement in the Second World War, to reflect strength and resilience
Color palette
Typography
App Logo
Headings
Subheading
#F48B83
High fidelity Prototype:
A calculator disguise to hide the app from the abuser—since tech abuse is a common form of abuse today, the abuser often goes through the victim's phone.
A short questionnaire at the start of the app to provide the user with the most personalized experience.
Women’s News
Where to start
it’s okay to reach out. we’re here to guide and support you.
Chief Theresa Kachindamoto stands against child marraige.
Quick Exit!
24/7 Support Available
Learn now
Find Nearby Shelters
More info
Empower Yourself with Knowledge
Chat now
Map
Folder
Live chat
Home
Learn
Learn
Understand abuse. Know your rights. Take control.
Find accessible, affordable resources to help you take the next step.
Resources
Quick Exit!
Your Legal Rights
How to file a report
Learn
Signs Of Abuse
Learn
Pack an emergency bag
Learn
Tech safety
Learn
Healthy vs Toxic Relationship
Learn
Learn
Lawyers
More info
More info
Shelters
Medical
More info
Map
Folder
Live chat
Home
Learn
A homepage featuring positive women's news to empower users.
Signs of abuse
Physical abuse
Physical abuse involves any form of physical harm , threat or injury
Signs
Unexplained bruises, cuts, injuries.
Being pushed, slapped, kicked or restrained
Fear of your partner’s anger or physical reactions
Next
Quick Exit!
Quick Exit!
Map
Folder
Live chat
Home
Learn
An educational feature that informs women about their legal rights based on their location, how to file a report, how to pack an emergency bag, and provides free and affordable resources for lawyers, shelters, and medical care.
An educational section on the signs of abuse that will educate users and provide resources if they resonate with the information.
A map showing the nearest shelters, hospitals, and police stations.
Category
Availability
Capacity
Specialised services
Shelters
24 hours
Emergency intake
Adults
Children
Infants
Child care
Multi lingual
Housing
Mental health support
Legal support
Police stations
Hospitals
Quick Exit!
A filter with options for specific needs, such as emergency intake, the number of beds required at a shelter, or whether the user will be accompanied by children.
An overlay with more detailed information, such as specialized services and the number of available beds.
A 24/7 live chat with a trained volunteer available for support, to assess the user’s situation, or for emergencies when the user can't call the police themselves.
A storage section for evidence, which would be securely stored on the app rather than the device, providing a safe space from the abuser.
security passcode protecting the evidence storage feature.
Quick Exit!
A security button on every page, allowing the user to quickly exit to a security screen in case of emergency.
A security button on every page, allowing the user to quickly exit to a security screen in case of emergency.
Quick Exit!
A notification section for updates on their legal cases.
I conducted four usability tests. The main issues all the participants faced were related to prototyping problems.
The users liked the security features and the branding.
Usability tests
Usability tests
Final product