New Austin-based App, bthere, Fights to Address Sexual Assault on Campus

The app was created in an effort to make going out safer for students after a friend close to bthere founder, Ben Johanson, was sexually assaulted in college. With studies showing that approximately one in five girls in college will be sexually assaulted, high-profile cases tragically leading the nightly news and proactive rally cries inspiring movements like the White House's It's On Us campaign, America has been calling for ways to take preventative action. While bthere was not designed exclusively for safety, the app is intended to provide a multi-dimensional experience for students and to serve as a tangible resource for those seeking safer campuses across the nation.

"I believe we can enhance the culture on college campuses by making it easier for friends to have fun and still look out for each other," said bthere founder, Ben Johanson. "We've never been more connected to our phones than we are today. bthere takes that connectivity and creates opportunities between friends for real moments, real fun and real peace of mind."

bthere users are able to create permanent circles with close friends, roommates or family, or temporary circles that disappear after 24 hours. In-app maps show friends' locations with customized emojis, group messaging and status updates, like battery levels statuses sent to your circle when it dips below 10 percent. bthere also has the capability to send a "Come Get Me" button if anyone needs help. The app was developed by Handsome, a human-centered design and technology company based in Austin, Texas.

bthere is THE app for staying in the loop with friends. bthere is about letting you do whatever you want to do, however you want to do it, whenever you want to do it. It's about making your life more connected. More interesting. More dynamic. More adventurous. More whatever.

bthere app features:

• Geolocation spotting within identified groups of friends, called "circles"
• A "Come Get Me" button for urgent situations that notifies everyone in a specific circle
• The ability to join permanent circles or temporary, 24-hour circles, with settings to modify your location permissions
• In-app messaging, with the ability to send images, videos and gifs and react to friends' messages
• Sharing of battery life status with your circles

About bthere:
bthere is a free smartphone app that helps friends stay connected. An all-in-one communication tool for bringing friends together through geolocation tracking and in-app messaging, the unique interface syncs all of your activities together and fits seamlessly into your life. bthere is the app "For a better whatever, together."

Follow bthere on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram at @hadtobthere.

Contact:
Kelsey Smith
802-272-6375
[email protected]

Video - http://origin-qps.onstreammedia.com/origin/multivu_archive/PRNA/ENR/short-bthere-demo.mp4

Logo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20161011/427321LOGO

SOURCE bthere