CSMD is shaping an AI-powered support bot designed to provide anonymous, 24/7 assistance to survivors of sexual violence, based directly on users’ needs.
As the Association for Struggle Against Sexual Violence (CSMD), we have embarked on this initiative to facilitate survivors’ access to information and their rights through digital tools. Within the scope of the Hrant Dink Foundation’s Strengthening Civil Society Grant Program 2025-2027, our project, “Transformative Technology: Empowering and Supporting Survivors of Sexual Violence through Artificial Intelligence and Bot Technology,” aims to create a digital space where those subjected to sexual violence, as well as their loved ones, can access accurate information anonymously and around the clock, without fear of judgement or stigmatization.
As activists and professionals working in the field of sexual violence, and as survivors, we have long observed a persistent reality: many individuals seek support, yet existing application processes are often neither accessible nor inclusive. The widespread impunity in cases of sexual violence, alongside a deep mistrust in access to justice, directly shapes survivors’ decisions about whether to seek help. The fear of encountering judgemental or accusatory attitudes within institutions, and the difficulty of navigating complex support systems, make initiating a process and seeking assistance particularly challenging. The lack of inclusivity within support mechanisms further restricts access for individuals with diverse identities and experiences –especially those shaped by gender identity, sexual orientation, ethnicity, disability, or migration status– leaving many effectively excluded from support pathways. In a moment when the use of artificial intelligence is rapidly expanding, we have chosen to reimagine this technology as a feminist, rights-based, inclusive, and trauma-informed tool within the field of sexual violence, creating a safe initial point of contact for those hesitant to approach formal institutions.
The AI-powered chatbot we are currently developing is grounded in a survivor-centered approach. It is designed as an anonymous, 24/7 accessible resource for individuals aged 18 and over, addressing questions and support needs related to sexual and sexualized violence in its various forms. Structured within a trauma-informed framework, the tool aims to recognize the impact of lived experiences on survivors, and to offer an empowering, non-judgemental interface. It will provide clear and accessible information about legal processes and rights, guidance on institutions to approach, and information on psychosocial support mechanisms. At the same time, for those who may not wish to engage in any formal application process, it will offer a space to talk about their experiences of violence, ask questions, and access self-care and self-help resources, free from time pressure or fear of being judged.
To ensure that we accurately understand user needs, we have prepared a needs and experiences survey. Through this survey, we aim to shape the chatbot’s content and language directly in line with users’ lived experiences and expectations. Guided by ethical principles and a rights-based, survivor-centered approach, we seek to develop this tool collectively. It is not intended to replace human support, but to serve as a first point of contact for those who are not yet ready to speak, who need information before applying somewhere, or who do not know where to begin. We invite everyone who has something to say, share, or contribute, whether through experience, insight, or ideas, to take part in this process.
We continue to identify the gaps within post-sexual violence support systems and to advocate for the transformation of application and support mechanisms that fail to operate on a rights-based foundation. Because, as survivors, access to support is our right.
