Technology gives victims new reporting options

New technology aims to give victims of sexual violence a more positive reporting experience according to Zosia Bielski of Canada’s Globe and Mail. Bielski presents two online, encrypted tools, Botler AI and Spot, that offer ‘neutral, third-party tools that aim to give victims of sexual violence a more positive experience of disclosing [information]. Botler AI creator, Ritika Dutt, notes that ‘Unlike humans, these bots never ask, “What were you wearing?” or “How many drinks did you have?”’.

One of Spot’s creators, Julie Shaw opines talking to a machine is a more neutral experience, explaining that Spot, which focusses on workplace harassment, uses ‘an online bot that asks a harassment victim about their experiences, using the so-called cognitive interview technique, which can help avoid feelings of shame and fear of retribution.