The chatbot, named Viktoria, was introduced during a debate on countering violence against women and providing systemic support, hosted under the auspices of Poland's Equality Minister Katarzyna Kotula.
The "chatbotette" is a response to the ongoing need for accessible and immediate information on how to obtain help, including legal advice, medical assistance, and safe spaces, officials say.
Joanna Piotrowska, founder and CEO of Feminoteka, emphasized the bot's role in filling a significant gap left by insufficient state systems, particularly in light of Poland's delayed implementation of the Council of Europe Convention on Preventing and Combating Violence Against Women and Domestic Violence, commonly known as the Istanbul Convention, since its ratification in 2015.
Viktoria offers fully anonymous, round-the-clock support in Polish and Ukrainian.
"By offering a discreet and accessible communication tool, we hope Viktoria will empower those in remote areas or in situations where direct contact is risky," said Joanna Gzyra-Iskandar, spokeswoman for Feminoteka.
This initiative aligns with Feminoteka's broader efforts to enhance public understanding and governmental response to gender-based violence, pushing for empathetic institutional procedures that meet international standards.
The foundation, operating since 2005, supports about 400 women annually through various means including psychological and legal assistance, trauma therapy, support groups, and a special fund for rape victims.
Feminoteka collaborates with global experts, including those from the World Health Organization and the Foundation for Victims of Crime, advocating for the establishment of specialized care centers in each province of Poland and the training of legal and medical professionals in handling cases of sexual violence.
The service requires no software installation of any kind; it is accessible via WhatsApp at +48 602 882 844.
(rt/gs)
Source: pap-mediaroom.pl