HERMITAGE, Pa. - Victims of domestic violence in Pennsylvania have a new mobile app resource to help them find support.

A concealed mobile app called Ohanalink Purple can offer victims of domestic violence a place and way to search for resources like support services, access to education and where to find housing.

"We were able to add some proprietary security features to enable victims to access it with a trackless safety feature on their device, so even when they're accessing services it is not traceable," Kara Wasser said, CEO of Ohanalink Technologies.

The app is not available for download for the general public through an app store. Instead, victims are asked to contact their local domestic violence agency for download access information and instructions.

Right now, a total of 14 agencies in western Pennsylvania are teaming up with Ohanalink to offer the Ohanalink Purple mobile app to victims. The agencies signed up include SafeNet Erie, Aware Inc. in Mercer County, Women's Services in Meadville and Alle-Kiski Area HOPE Center.

Wasser says the plan to have the app offered statewide and in other states, including Ohio, by sometime next year.

"All of the needs of these victims is going to be propelled faster," Lizette Olsen said, executive director of Mercer AWARE Inc.

AWARE Inc. originally reached out to Ohanalink for help in developing a digital connection to area services when they noticed a gap in getting information to victims during the pandemic. Wasser says she had the app technology they needed to develop the mobile app.

"The one thing those of us who provide these things recognized, the level of violence has increased dramatically during the pandemic," she said.

The Pennsylvania Coalition Against Domestic Violence reports 109 victims were killed in 2020, a total of 112 homicides took place in 2019 and 125 were reported in 2018.

A childhood victim urges people to find the help they need.

"There is a better life for you and you can rebuild and it might take a few years, but with this, it will be a really good tool to help them get back on their feet," Kalie Knight said, a connections associate with Ohanalink Technologies.