A domestic abuse survivor is behind a simple device that can secretly raise the alarm using household appliances such as kettles, hair straighteners and toasters.
Katy Longhurst’s phone app analyses unusual surges in electricity to summon help without offenders finding out.
Switching a household item on and off rapidly would trigger sensors to warn that a victim is under imminent threat, sending a message to next of kin. An alert could also be sent straight to the police.
Mother-of-one Ms Longhurst, from Kent, backs her new AI system - called Ask Joan - to traditional pre-installed panic buttons that risk inflaming an already volatile situation if the offender sees they are being pressed.
It will even send push notifications if a potential victim appears locked in one room at home for hours on end - or detects an intruder while they are out.
The 38-year-old decided to take action after suffering broken ribs, a cheek bone and nose, threats to kill, miscarriage and 169 separate police incidents over an eight-year period.
Her violent ex-boyfriend - a former soldier - would often lock her in a bathroom for hours.
When Ms Longhurst tried to end the relationship, he broke into the house several times, hiding in the cellar and waiting for her to return home.
She tried to calm situations by making a cup of tea, and recalls of her darkest hours: “I wished there was something on the kettle so that I could secretly raise the alarm.”
Now her ordeal is being put to good use and may potentially help many of the tens of thousands of women who find themselves becoming the victims of domestic abuse.
Ms Longhurst told the Standard: “I met my ex-partner in 2010. At first, I honestly felt he was too good to be true. But in a matter of months I began to see his true colours.
“Slowly the cracks began to show in our relationship. He used to tell me he was working away but would stay in local hotels and follow me. When I saw his car parked near where I worked I confronted him and he said I was imagining things.
“In May 2013, things became violent when I went out clubbing with a female friend while he was supposed to be away working. He turned up at the closing time of the nightclub, accused me of cheating and headbutted me in the face three times.
“That left me with a broken nose and two black eyes. I wanted out of the relationship but he would force himself onto me.
“He would threaten to kill me.”
Remembering a time the bully broke into her home, Ms Longhurst added: “In May 2016, my new partner was working away and my ex came to my house. When I opened the door, he barged his way in and started to strangle me. He then threw my 18-month-old across the room and started hitting me, breaking two ribs.
“I was pregnant at the time and he threw me down the stairs so I lost the baby. I managed to break away from him and activate my panic alarm, but the police had disconnected it.
“Luckily my neighbours heard the noise and called the police.”
She add: “I woke up in hospital and something inside me clicked. I realised I need to fight my ex and restart my life with a new job. I eventually went into a women’s refuge and moved to Northern Ireland where my new partner was posted.”
Her ordeal continued off and on for a further 18 months until her ex was arrested, convicted and finally sectioned.
Ms Longhurst was also able to get non-molestation court order granted.
Ask Joan is being adopted throughout the UK and abroad from November. Early feedback shows it is already making a difference to victims of domestic abuse.
Women's Aid said: “Domestic abuse is the most common form of gender-based abuse, with an average of one in four women and girls experiencing it in their lifetime.
“If you think that you may be experiencing domestic abuse, you’re not alone. Women’s Aid is here to support you.
“We will always take you seriously and support you without judgement.”
Reach out to Women’s Aid through Live Chat, email or for more information visit their website: www.womensaid.org.uk/.
In an emergency, always call 999.
The National Domestic Abuse Helpline is available 24 hours a day on 0808 2000 247.
