Shielded Voices

A secure app for reporting sexual assault, with legal verification, petition signing, psychological support, shared stories, AI-based emotional guidance, and GoFundMe donations for verified victims.

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Inspiration

In our country, the silent epidemic of sexual abuse haunts the lives of too many. For generations, our culture has encouraged silence and restraint, hiding the pain of countless victims. Many suffer in silence, too fearful or humiliated to speak out, feeling powerless to confront those who have caused them irreparable harm. Even those courageous enough to seek justice often find that our system falls tragically short. For many perpetrators, a brief prison sentence is the only consequence, a punishment that fails to reflect the devastation inflicted on their victims. This leniency does little to discourage others from committing similar acts, allowing a cycle of violence and trauma to continue.

Our drive to create this app is born out of a deep desire to change this cycle, to be a voice for those who have been silenced and to amplify the voices of our people so that they may be heard by the government. We aim to be a platform where the pain of survivors and their families becomes the catalyst for change, where stories are shared not in shame but in strength, and where feedback from the people pushes for a system that offers justice, healing, and prevention. It is time for our laws to reflect the true weight of these crimes, and for the perpetrators to face the gravity of the harm they inflict.

One story that profoundly impacted us and fueled our commitment is that of Heaven Dereje, a seven-year-old girl who fell victim to a horrific act of violence at the hands of a neighbor. The tragedy of her death shook her community, but the pain of her family only deepened when they faced a long and agonizing struggle for justice. Ultimately, her attacker received an 18-year sentence—a punishment that felt inadequate given the enormity of the crime. Sadly, since her case, reports of child rape have continued to rise, and many families continue to endure similar struggles for justice and support.

With this app, we seek to reduce the pain that follows these assaults, to provide victims and their families with a supportive pathway to recovery and justice. Our mission is not just to assist survivors but to create a platform for collective action, where public feedback reaches decision-makers, where awareness is raised, and where every story, like Heaven's, serves as a reminder that change is both necessary and urgent.

We envision a society where survivors are no longer burdened by silence and shame, where perpetrators face meaningful consequences, and where every voice is heard. This is not just a project for us; it is a call to action. We are committed to standing up for justice, to breaking the cycle, and to helping build a future where such tragedies are met with a response that is just, supportive, and truly protective of our children and communities.

What it does

This application is a secure, multi-functional platform addressing the urgent need for confidential reporting, support, and healing resources for survivors of sexual assault and gender-based violence.

Key Features

  1. Confidential Reporting
    Users can privately report incidents of abuse directly to law enforcement and women’s rights organizations. Each report requires users to agree to a terms of service agreement, ensuring authenticity and helping to filter genuine cases. Reports may be made anonymous or public, with an option to share the report and gather community feedback.

  2. Petition Platform
    After verification by legal authorities and women’s rights advocates, authenticated cases appear on a public petition page. This allows community members to sign petitions, giving a collective voice to survivors and encouraging justice reforms.

  3. Consultancy Resources
    To address the psychological impact of trauma, the consultancy section provides resources to help users identify specific psychological disorders and access related video content, offering hope through stories from others who have overcome similar experiences. Users are also guided to contact mental health professionals and provided with a directory of specialists for continued support.

  4. Forum & Community Sharing
    A dedicated forum lets users view and share stories, fostering a supportive space for dialogue, advice, and solidarity.

  5. Verified Assistance (GoFundMe) Page
    This page displays verified cases where users can donate funds to support victims, with multiple payment methods available for convenience.

  6. AI-Driven Emotional Support
    Upon reporting an incident, users are greeted by an AI assistant acting as a virtual psychiatrist. This feature aims to detect emotional states and provide immediate, comforting guidance, encouraging users to explore further mental health support.

The app’s core mission is to create a safe, supportive, and action-oriented platform that empowers survivors, mobilizes community support, and advocates for systemic change, ensuring a comprehensive response to the needs of each individual impacted by assault and abuse.

How we built it

Development Process for Shielded Voices

  1. Planning and Requirements Gathering

    • Objective Definition: Establish clear goals for the platform: a secure environment for reporting, resources for support, and tools to encourage community advocacy.
    • Feature Scope: Outline primary features, including confidential reporting, a petition platform, consultancy resources, a forum, verified assistance, and AI-driven emotional support.
    • User Personas: Identify target users (survivors, supporters, advocates) to guide user-centric design.

  2. Technology Stack Selection

    • Frontend: Flutter for a responsive, cross-platform mobile app that ensures compatibility on Android and iOS devices.
    • AI: Gemini for the AI-driven emotional support feature.

  3. Deployment and Source Code
    Deployed using Netlify and source code is available on GitHub.

  4. User Training and Support

    • Educational Tutorials: In-app tutorials guiding users on navigating features, submitting reports, and finding resources (using YouTube videos).
    • 24/7 Support System: Support line or chat system for technical and emotional assistance with trained personnel for immediate help.

Conclusion

The “Shielded Voices” app combines cutting-edge technology with a mission-driven design to create a safe, empowering, and supportive space for survivors of sexual abuse and gender-based violence. It offers a robust framework for reporting, support, and community healing, fostering resilience and systemic change.

Challenges we ran into

Challenges Encountered in the Development of the Project

As university students based in Ethiopia, we encountered several challenges during the development of our project. Below are the key challenges we faced:

  1. Time Constraints:
    We received the email from women techmakers only 10 days before the deadline. Although the idea for the project was conceived and the design was on progress the before the competition, the short time frame made it extremely challenging to implement the full scope of the platform. We completed the frontend and initiated the AI integration, but some critical backend features could not be finalized.

  2. Limited Access to Resources:
    Our access to reliable internet and essential development resources was limited, presenting a barrier to completing the project efficiently.

  3. API Access Constraints:
    To integrate critical APIs, we needed access to a payment card, which as students, we did not have, making it difficult to acquire the APIs necessary for implementing key features.

Despite these challenges, we remain committed to the project and will continue its development until its full launch, ensuring it makes a meaningful impact on the people it aims to support.

Accomplishments that we're proud of

Accomplishments in the Development of the Project

Despite the challenges encountered, we have successfully accomplished the following:

  • Frontend Development: Completed a responsive, user-friendly interface that aligns with the project’s objectives.
  • AI Integration: Integrated an AI-driven emotional support feature to address users' emotional needs during moments of distress.

Although we were unable to complete the full scope within the competition deadline, we are proud of our progress and are dedicated to continuing the development to bring the platform to full functionality and launch.

What we learned

Through this project, we gained valuable insights and skills in:

  • Technical Skills:
    Improved frontend development proficiency with Flutter and gained a deeper understanding of AI integration.

  • Problem-Solving and Adaptability:
    Adapted to resource limitations, found alternative solutions, and prioritized critical project components. This experience taught us to work under pressure and manage time effectively.

  • Collaboration and Communication:
    Enhanced our teamwork, task division, and issue resolution through effective communication.

  • Resilience and Perseverance:
    Learned the importance of perseverance and staying focused on the larger goal, strengthening our determination to continue developing the platform post-competition.

What's next for Shielded Voices

Next Steps for Project Development

  1. Complete Backend Development
    Focus on backend functionalities like database integration, secure reporting mechanisms, and API connections. Prioritize data encryption, user privacy, and security protocols.

  2. Enhance AI Capabilities
    Refine the AI model for better emotional support, expanding its ability to detect and respond to a wider range of emotional states and integrating it with consultancy resources.

  3. Implement Petition Platform and Verification Process
    Build and test the petition platform with a robust verification process.

  4. Security and Privacy Compliance
    Conduct security audits and penetration testing, ensuring compliance with data protection regulations (e.g., GDPR).

  5. Community Forum and Support System
    Develop the community forum, establish a 24/7 support system, and implement moderation tools for a supportive, respectful environment.

  6. Integration with Law Enforcement and Women’s Rights Organizations
    Establish secure API connections to law enforcement and women’s rights groups to route incidents for swift action and authentication.

  7. Launch and Impact Assessment
    Prepare for the official launch, monitor user feedback, and create an outreach campaign.

  8. Ongoing Development and Updates
    Post-launch, monitor feedback, improve features, and add new functionalities to meet survivors' evolving needs.

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