GLOUCESTER, England – After the tragic killing of a hairdresser by her ex-partner, her family in Gloucester, England, has launched the Hollie Guard safety app in her memory. The app, which automatically records video and audio during a violent incident and alerts police to the user’s location, has been used in 60 court cases, including a murder.
Hollie Gazzard was fatally stabbed 14 times by her ex-partner, Asher Maslin, while finishing her shift, leading her family to establish the Hollie Gazzard Trust to advocate against domestic violence and knife crime. The family’s efforts resulted in the creation of the Hollie Guard safety app, which has been downloaded 500,000 times, sent out tens of thousands of alerts, and used in 60 court cases since its launch.
The app sets off a “man down” signal if the phone detects no movement after a certain time and is recommended by nine police forces and the Domestic Abuse Commissioner. Hollie’s father, Nick, expressed pride in the app’s ability to save lives, noting its positive impact a decade after her tragic murder.
Furthermore, the family is now focusing on educating school children on healthy relationships and encouraging bystanders to intervene when witnessing harassment. They emphasize the importance of bystander intervention, especially in instances of domestic violence, to prevent similar tragedies.
The devastating loss of Hollie has spurred her family to take action against domestic violence and seek to make a positive impact in her memory. The Hollie Guard safety app has not only provided a valuable tool for individuals in need of help, but it has also served as a powerful reminder of the importance of bystander intervention in preventing violent incidents.