Visually impaired Mumbai programmer creates chatbot for sex abuse victims

Mumbai-based programmer Sagar Sodah, 26, has created a chatbot where women can anonymously report incidents of sexual harassment. A chatbot is a computer program which enables a conversation through sound or text.

Sodah said that he wanted to use technology to create a social impact. He has created a website – http://safecity.in/ where women can report such instances. He says a bot makes the process easier as it can be accessed from the phone.

Sodah, who has a 10% vision has not let his disability come in the way of working for the past five years. Once women report the incident, it will be recorded on a crowd-sourced map, which is available on the Safe City website.

The data can also be shared with authorities who can use it to strengthen safety measures. Most women do not talk about sexual violence as it is considered to be shameful. The bot is a medium that will encourage women to break their silence.