How myProtectify uses AI to empower survivors of domestic violence

Survivors of domestic abuse face a myriad of challenges in reaching out – confusion, isolation, fear, and often no clear path to support.

myProtectify was created to make the process less overwhelming. So they developed Maya: a 24/7, multilingual AI chatbot.

myProtectify’s mission

myProtectify is a nonprofit founded in 2024 to support people affected by domestic and intimate partner violence. 

It was born out of the personal journey of Sogol Kordi, who escaped a long-term abusive relationship and discovered firsthand how isolating and confusing the aftermath can be. 

Determined to prevent others from feeling as alone as she did, Sogol wanted to build a safe, accessible space for anyone in crisis.

Using AI to surpass traditional challenges

Survivors need support that’s always available, easily accessible, empathetic, non-judgmental, and tailored to their unique circumstances.

AI makes this possible by:

• Offering 24/7 multilingual assistance
• Delivering consistently high-quality interactions
• Handling unlimited simultaneous requests
• Providing personalized guidance for each user’s individual situation

Combining AI with empathetic design and verified content can lower barriers to support, help break isolation, and guide survivors toward safety and self-determination.

Introducing Maya: Confidential, 24/7 support

Maya is an AI-powered chat assistant designed in collaboration with survivors to offer empathetic, accurate, and confidential support around the clock.

When anyone suspects they may be experiencing intimate-partner violence, they can access Maya anytime via the myProtectify website. 

Users can start a conversation with Maya any time without registration, fees, or sharing personal details.

The mission of Maya is to empower survivors of intimate‐partner violence by:

• Lowering barriers to support
• Providing clear information to help users understand their situation
• Breaking isolation
• Guiding users toward autonomy and self-determination

A “Quick Exit” button is visible onscreen in case someone needs to leave the site immediately (for example, if an abusive partner returns home).

Education & emotional support

Users can type freely about their experiences, ask questions, or – if they’re unsure how to begin – then Maya offers suggested prompts alongside its welcome message to guide them.

Seeking support can sometimes come with judgement, misunderstanding, or miseducation. 

But Maya listens without judgment, helps users recognize different forms of abuse (physical, emotional, coercive control, etc.), and reassures them that the responsibility for violence lies with the abuser, not the survivor.

Planning & emergency assistance

If someone is open to taking steps to exit their situation, Maya can generate personalized checklists or action plans to help users navigate the next steps of their exit plan.

Through conversational prompts, Maya explains rights, safety-planning strategies, digital security tips, and steps for seeking help, empowering users to make informed choices at their own pace.

Location-based service matching

If a user is ready to access professional help, Maya can suggest specific services based on their location. 

Maya’s matching service can suggest the nearest counseling service systems. These services can span a wide range of topics, including legal support, trauma care, and referrals to shelters or other forms of assistance.

These types of direct service recommendations – all tailored to the user’s language, location, and situation – ensure that survivors find relevant resources swiftly and safely.

User-centered testing & expert review

Maya was built with the help of survivors. Ongoing user testing with both survivors and domestic-violence experts ensures that its content is accurate and truly meets users’ needs.

Ongoing feedback helps keep it relevant and responsive to what its specific target user group needs to gain security.

While optimized for German, Maya can understand and respond in multiple languages, broadening access for diverse communities.

Empowering survivors with digital support

Maya offers a low-threshold, anonymous chat that survivors can access at any time. It’s free from the shame, the fear of judgment, and language barriers that often prevent people from seeking help. 

As a result, myProtectify is reaching more individuals who wouldn’t have reached out for help otherwise. 

The organization is enabling them to start safety planning and seek support sooner, and helping them accelerate the decision to leave abusive relationships.