Jakarta, INTI - University students from the Geomatics Engineering Department at Institut Teknologi Sepuluh Nopember (ITS) have developed a WebGIS system called ITSafe to report and map areas potentially prone to sexual harassment and violent acts.
In collaboration with the ITS Violence Prevention and Handling Task Force (PPK), ITSafe was initiated by Group 7 of the ITS Geomatics Work Camp, consisting of Josephine Novellia Andita, Duta Satrio Wibowo, Muhammad Farid Farhan, Farrel Valentino Yonata, and Ananda Adellia.
The students' solution is an effort to assist the ITS PPK Task Force in creating a safe ITS environment. Using a crowdsourcing-based reporting system and spatial mapping, the website is specifically designed to identify areas considered prone to immoral acts, ranging from catcalling to various other forms of crime.
The Head of the ITS PPK Task Force, Prida Novarita Trisanti, explained that the ITSafe system facilitates the task force's follow-up on reports. That way, ITSafe can assist other units, such as the Asset Management Bureau (BMA), in improving security facilities on campus.
"Through ITSafe, we as the campus management will be helped in identifying areas that are lacking CCTV, lighting, and security patrols," said Prida.
How to Use the Platform
Novellia explained the various features accessible on the ITSafe page. In addition to a reporting form, the page also provides a map of vulnerable areas, the type of facility suitability mapped, and an analysis of the area based on the report's results.
On the complaint form, reporters do not need to provide any personal information, and ITSafe ensures their identity is secure. The process involves simply entering an email address for automatic feedback, their role, and their gender on the first page. Then, reporters can fill in the location and conditions of the location deemed vulnerable and unsafe.
"At the end, reporters can provide a chronology and experience in the reported area," said Novellia.
The Map Will Show Vulnerability Levels
Furthermore, the results of the reports verified by the team will also be displayed in the "Distribution Map" feature on the ITSafe page. This way, users or visitors to the page can view the reported areas.
"The digital map feature allows users to view potentially vulnerable areas, provide information on the physical condition of the area, and the level of vulnerability concentration in certain areas," explained Novellia.
Duta Satrio Wibowo added that the system is processed using visuals as specific symbols. One of these is a heatmap visualization that depicts the level of vulnerability concentration and intensity based on the vulnerability score given by the reporter.
"The heatmap visualization is used to indicate areas with a higher vulnerability intensity compared to other areas based on the reporter's perception," explained Duta.
Some complaint data deemed to require handling or assistance for the reporter will also be submitted to the ITS PPK Task Force for follow-up. Prida also emphasized that ITS is committed to monitoring all data entered into ITSafe to ensure it is running in accordance with its primary purpose.
Conclusion
Students from the ITS Geomatics Engineering Department developed a WebGIS system called ITSafe to assist in reporting and mapping campus areas potentially vulnerable to sexual harassment and violence. This crowdsourcing-based and spatial mapping system allows users to anonymously report vulnerable locations and view vulnerability levels on a visualized map. In addition to serving as a reporting tool, the system also supports follow-up on cases requiring assistance, as part of an effort to create a safer and more responsive campus environment to sexual violence.
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