Callisto (project)

Callisto is a nonprofit organization project aimed at allowing individuals to anonymously report sexual assault.[1] Created by Jessica Ladd, the organization has developed a website that allows users to submit a time stamped record of the alleged offense, and if another individual files a report about the same perpetrator, will alert the authorities.[1][2] The site uses a third party encryption software to flag the reports of the victims.[3] Since its release, Callisto has received criticism for its policies towards reporting to authorities and over concerns of its database being hacked.[1][4]

The Process

When users report alleged assaults, they have the opportunity to be in an environment they feel comfortable in.[3] The reporters are encouraged to take breaks so that they do not become overwhelmed.[4] The report does not have to be in chronological order.[5] No one will be able to access the report, unless the filer grants access.[1] Once the report has been submitted, there are three outcomes. The system will notify the authorities as well as the college, only if two victims report the same assailant.[1][3][4] The reporter may forward the record to the school.[3] If the victim chooses, they may take the report to the authorities.[4]

Reception

Callisto is considered a tool in helping to reduce sexual assault. Other methods for reducing this crime include an online sexual assault course that colleges require students to take, apps that students can download to tell them local crime hot spots and more. Most colleges have “blue light poles” in case of emergency, and have a night ride service so that no one has to walk alone. Callisto’s biggest competitor is Lighthouse.[4] Callisto’s approach is sensitive to trauma when reporting.[4] Callisto had an app at one point, but took it down so that there was no shame in having it on your phone. It is now only offered online 24/7 so it is easily accessible and confidential.[3] Callisto believes that there is safety in numbers and that no one is alone.[1]

Criticism

Since the data collected from Callisto is stored on a database by a third party, critics are worried that this information could potentially be hacked and the victims identities revealed.[4] There is not a guarantee that just because you report to Callisto, your case will be investigated. Since there has to be at least one match to alert the authorities, the cases that never get matched will never be ingested through Callisto.[1] Callisto would like victims to produce some form of identification when reporting, such as the perpetrators Facebook page, email, or phone number. Analysts do not like this aspect of the website, as gathering personal information about the attack could be overwhelming, or even trigger the victim.[5] Callisto could be accused of crowd-sourcing, taking away from the individual and their story [2]

References
  1. Ayres, Ian (9 October 2015). "Meet Callisto, the Tinder-like platform that aims to fight sexual assault (Posted 2015-10-09 23:39:05): The Callisto platform uses game theory to overcome a major barrier to reporting". The Washington Post. Retrieved 16 October 2018.
  2. Holley, Peter (27 September 2018). "The latest tools for sexual assault victims: Smartphone apps and software". The Washington Post. Retrieved 16 October 2018.
  3. North, Anna. "A New Way to Report College Sexual Assault". The New York Times. New York Times Company. Retrieved 16 October 2018.
  4. Singer, Natasha. "The War on Campus Sexual Assault Goes Digital". The New York Times. The New York Times Company. Retrieved 16 October 2018.
  5. Liu, Heidi (May 2018). "WHEN WHISPERS ENTER THE CLOUD: EVALUATING TECHNOLOGY TO PREVENT AND REPORT SEXUAL ASSAULT". Harvard Journal of Law & Technology. 31: 25. Retrieved 16 October 2018.
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