3 startups helping women in situations of violence
The case of Collien Fernandes has moved and outraged many people, raising awareness of how frequently women are subjected to psychological and physical violence. Furthermore, there is often a lack of support and counselling services for those affected. The Hamburg-based startups myProtectify, mutiva and saferspaces are attempting to fill these gaps.
myProtectify
Sogol Kordi, the founder of myProtectify, herself lived in an abusive relationship for many years. She therefore knows exactly how difficult it is to break free from a destructive dependency and to obtain the necessary support. To this end, her startup has developed the chatbot Maya, who acts as a first point of contact, available round the clock, and provides information on support services. The app is, of course, free of charge and designed to ensure maximum discretion and security. To further raise awareness of domestic violence, myProtectify organises workshops in companies.
mutiva
The startup mutiva tackles an issue whose significance is often underestimated: psychological abuse. Whilst it leaves no visible bruises, it can significantly and lastingly impair the quality of life of those affected. mutiva offers a self-assessment tool to help people make sense of their own experiences, and the online programme RE:START, which helps them make a fresh start towards a self-determined and fulfilling life. The next four-month programme starts on 2 April; the price is based on participants’ financial means.
saferspaces
Whilst myProtectify and mutiva are aimed at victims of domestic violence in private settings, saferspaces wants to ensure that violence in public spaces does not occur in the first place. Its clients include event organisers and venues such as the Barclays Arena and the OMR Festival. At their events, they display posters featuring a QR code that allows people to call for help quickly in threatening situations, such as sexual assaults, without having to register or download an app. The logging and analysis of all anonymised data also enables preventive measures to be taken to ensure that such assaults do not occur in the first place.
