Degree Show project aims to tackle harassment in nightclubs
Date posted
20 May 2019
11:31
An Edinburgh Napier product design student has developed a unique wristband that aims to keep people safe from harassment on nights out.
As part of her Edinburgh Napier Degree Show exhibit, fourth year student Beatriz Carvalho has developed Lux; a discreet, black wristband that can be used to identify situations of distress. 
The prototype wristband can be linked to an app, which friends can join together through prior to going on a night out.
Should the wearer find themselves in a situation where they feel uncomfortable and need help to escape, a single initial tap of the wristband will send a warning to friends through the app so that they know help is required.
Should the situation escalate further, a double tap of the wristband will light it up. This firstly alerts members of bar and nightclub staff to the situation, as well as acting as a deterrent to the perpetrator.
Alongside helping protect individuals, Lux has been developed to highlight behaviour that goes too far on nights out, and could be used to educate people on what is acceptable and what’s not.
The wristband is inclusive of all genders and can be worn by anyone who would feel more comfortable on a night out with this type of device.
For 21 year-old Beatriz, the project has been driven by a need to invoke change to certain people’s behaviour on nights out.
She said: “Through my research and the findings from my dissertation, I settled on creating something that was educational as well as preventative. The aim of Lux is first and foremost to help keep its wearer safe.
“However, it’s also there to identify behaviour on nights out that is going too far and to help educate the perpetrator that this sort of thing isn’t acceptable. It’s important that people who do potentially harass and step over the line learn to not do this sort of thing again – that’s really the only way that things will improve.
“It’s also been a personal project. I experienced harassment while I was at High School and there are certain triggers that bring that horrible memory back. It’s the same for people who have experienced something like this in a nightclub or at a gig. No one should be scared of going out and Lux could be the difference for many – it could act like a safety net. 
“Sexual harassment and behaviour that makes people uncomfortable is a complex subject. Many people want to shy away from it and pretend that it doesn’t happen. However, I’ve always been of the view that it is good to talk about these sort of things so that more people know what sort of behaviour is acceptable and what isn’t. I think Lux has the potential to play a big part in allowing these conversations to happen.”
Beatriz’s project along with hundreds of others are on display as part of the Edinburgh Napier Degree Show which is being held at the University’s Merchiston campus from 17-24 May.
Edinburgh Napier Degree Show 2019
Our annual showcase of the creative talent from our School of Arts & Creative Industries.
Learn more here