Women’s safety has been a global concern for decades, but the COVID-19 pandemic exposed its stark realities. As the world went into lockdown, the home—a place of refuge—became a nightmare for many. Reports of violence against women surged, with alarming figures highlighting the need for urgent solutions. According to media reports, within the first 11 days of lockdown, India registered over 92,000 child abuse cases. Shocking as this number is, it is likely just the tip of the iceberg. The situation was a glaring call to action for many, including Samson Selladurai, co-founder of the I’m Safe App for Women’s Safety.
In a time when technological advancements are at their peak, Samson and his team set out to create a solution to address women’s safety. I’m Safe App is not just another safety app. Instead, it is a carefully designed platform that uses cutting-edge technology, like blockchain, to give women control over their safety. It offers real-time protection and discreet help. Most importantly, it aims to ensure that women have tamper-proof evidence that they can use to get justice. In an exclusive chat, Samson Selladurai shares the mission, challenges, and future of this life-changing app.
The story behind I’m Safe App for Women’s Safety: From inspiration to action
Q: Samson, could you share with us the inspiration behind creating the I’m Safe App? What was the turning point that made you realise the need for such an app?
The inspiration for I’m Safe came from witnessing the alarming surge in domestic violence during the COVID-19 lockdown. In the first 11 days of lockdown, 92,000 child abuse cases were registered in India alone. If the official number was that high, the actual number was probably closer to a million.
This shocking reality gave us sleepless nights. We knew we had to act. That is how the urgency to develop a scalable, secure, and far-reaching tech solution was born. We wanted to give power back to women—a tool that ensures safety is always within reach.
Q: How did the challenges women face in safety and human trafficking shape your mission to develop this platform?
The global crisis of human trafficking and the consistent challenges women face in terms of harassment and violence are profound. During COVID-19, officially, 13 Lac women went missing in India. That number is staggering. Across India, there are 10+ million people—men, women, and children—trapped in modern slavery. Only a fraction, less than 0.1%, are helped globally every year. These heartbreaking numbers were the driving force behind creating I’m Safe, a tool to help women and children take back control of their safety.
Innovative tech solutions for women’s safety
Q: The I’m Safe App for women’s safety is a unique platform that uses innovative tech solutions. Could you tell us how blockchain technology strengthens the app’s credibility and provides an edge over other safety apps?
In a country like India, where cases of women’s murders are sometimes fabricated as suicides, we wanted to use the full potential of technology to empower women. Blockchain and cryptography ensure that any data recorded during an SOS alert—photos, audio—is tamper-proof. It gives users peace of mind, knowing the evidence they collect cannot be altered or deleted. It makes the app more reliable for legal proceedings. Moreover, it ensures that women have unassailable proof, which can be a game-changer in securing justice.
Q: Why was it essential for you to make the app’s SOS feature focus on trusted contacts rather than law enforcement? How does this empower users?
Trust is paramount in emergencies. Many victims, especially of domestic violence, feel uncomfortable involving law enforcement immediately. By giving users control over who gets notified, we empower them to take charge of their situation. It also reduces the strain on law enforcement. It also allows users to rely on their community of trusted contacts for quicker responses.
The fundamental focus of the I’m Safe App is that you take control of your safety. You choose who keeps you safe and when.
Q: The app uses both front and back cameras to capture real-time evidence. How did this feature come about, and what were you aiming to address with this functionality?
Be it Nirabhya or the latest tragedy of a doctor in Kolkatta, we are playing catch-up with evidence: Did it happen? If so, how did it happen?
What if we can take the location, photo, and audio at the click of a button, and that data can never be altered or deleted, even by the app’s creators? Will it help women, or will it alter the course of justice served to the women and their families? Will it end the shaming of women when they should be treated with dignity and respect? I believe the answer is a resounding YES.
We designed this feature based on user feedback and real-world scenarios. We realised that in emergencies, capturing real-time evidence could be crucial not just for immediate safety but also for long-term justice. Using both cameras ensures comprehensive documentation. It provides stronger evidence that can support victims during legal proceedings.
Real-world impact and success stories
Q: Could you share a real-life story about how the I’m Safe App for women’s safety helped someone in a critical situation? What did this moment mean for you and your team?
Our Ask for Help feature allows women to reach out anonymously and securely via text. On average, we help 3-4 women every week through this feature alone. Seeing the impact of our technology firsthand—saving lives and empowering women—reinforces our commitment to continue developing the platform.
Q: You mentioned that the app has been downloaded in over 150 countries. Can you tell us about how this global reach has impacted the lives of women in various regions, especially in challenging environments?
One significant learning for me was realising that women’s safety is not just an issue in developing countries; it is a universal problem. Women everywhere, across the 150+ countries our app is used, face the same problems. Without any marketing, they are searching for help and looking for ways to protect themselves.
Overcoming challenges and scaling impact
Q8: Every startup faces its share of challenges. What have been the most significant hurdles in growing the I’m Safe App for women’s safety, and how have you and your team navigated these?
Our biggest challenge has been finding female influencers who are passionate about women’s safety. We have been struggling to find influencers who can champion the cause of the I’m Safe App for women’s safety.
It is a free app, so my initial thought was, why wouldn’t any NGO or celebrity passionate about helping women talk about us? But it has taken its sweet time, with its challenges and roadblocks.
While we are doing everything we can to address it, it is still one of my significant challenges. But I think these are the birth pains of any startup, and these issues make us stronger and deepen our resolve to keep moving forward no matter the obstacle.
The second challenge has been funding. Quality tech is not cheap, and with scale comes the cost of servers, developers, and other enablers just to keep the platform afloat and good. I do hope that in the future, seeing our impact, many corporations will be willing to donate some of their CSR budgets towards the efforts of the Im Safe app to keep women safe.
Q: With only three core team members, how do you manage the app’s operations across such a vast number of countries?
Partnerships have been essential. We collaborate with 12+ NGOs worldwide, including organisations like My Choices Foundation and Majlis in India, Be Alert Foundation in South Africa, Escape to Better Foundation in Australia, etc. These partnerships help us manage operations on the ground. Moreover, their expertise in areas like Domestic violence and legal support complements our tech-driven approach. It enables us to scale effectively without compromising on impact.
The future of safety tech and I’m Safe App’s evolution
Q: You’ve developed ImSafe.org to ensure compliance with workplace safety standards like PoSH. How do you see this platform evolving to meet the needs of organisations?
ImSafe.org is a comprehensive solution for workplace safety. As compliance standards evolve, we plan to incorporate AI-driven tools for better monitoring and reporting. Features like automated PoSH reporting and training modules will continue to evolve, ensuring organisations stay ahead of regulatory requirements while fostering safer work environments. Right now, we are helping companies with 50+ staff and companies with 5000+ staff who are being assisted with our Org App.
Q: What additional features are you planning to add to the I’m Safe App for women’s safety in the future?
We are planning several new features. One is a safety marker, where women can mark places as safe or unsafe. We are also working on introducing city guardians—trusted, pre-vetted individuals in each city who can help in emergencies. Lastly, we will be adding consultations within the app for legal, mental, or psychological help.
Addressing human trafficking and expanding impact
Q: You have mentioned that one of your goals is to combat human trafficking. Could you share how the Im Safe app for women’s safety or any future projects plan to address this issue directly?
Our partnership with Mekong Club, Hong Kong, and A21, a global anti-trafficking organisation, is a crucial part of our anti-trafficking strategy. We are also working on integrating trafficking hotlines and resources directly into the app. By providing victims with discreet ways to seek help and report incidents, we hope to make a tangible impact in the fight against trafficking.
Personal reflections on women’s safety
Q: You have mentioned how deeply the issues of women’s safety resonate with you. Can you share a personal story or experience that ignited your passion to create I’m Safe? How did it shape your vision for this platform?
One day, my twin brother and I had this wild question strike us: Every day, there are headlines of rape and murder in India, but this country, the world’s biggest democracy, is also home to tech geniuses. Why haven’t we thought of solving this issue of ending violence against women from a tech perspective?
That question sparked the creation of the I’m Safe App for women’s safety. To this day, whenever I read about a rape or case of abuse, it hits me hard. It is painful knowing that each person who is abused lives with that trauma for life, often never talking about it or getting help. Our vision is to not only work on the preventive side but also support survivors with the healing and emotional assistance they need.
Creating a safer society beyond technology
Q: While the I’m Safe App for women’s safety leverages technology for protection, there’s also a cultural and societal aspect to women’s safety. In your opinion, what are the most prominent mindset shifts society needs to make to ensure that women feel safe, not just at work but everywhere?
The most significant shift needs to happen at the mindset level. Men and women need to see each other as complements, not competitors. Society has to move from viewing women as objects to recognising their unique strengths and contributions. Education and accountability are essential. Institutions and individuals alike must foster environments where women feel safe and respected. Technology is a powerful tool, but it must be supported by a broader cultural change to make a lasting impact.
Conclusion: A tech-driven solution with a heart
The I’m Safe App for women’s safety is more than a tech solution—it is a tool that gives women back the power to control their safety. Samson Selladurai’s vision for a world where women feel safe, not just at work but everywhere, resonates deeply with the mission of Changeincontent.com. His passion and commitment to using technology as a preventive measure while ensuring cultural change and safety make the I’m Safe App a powerful weapon in the fight for women’s safety.
As I’m Safe continues to evolve, it offers a blueprint for how innovative tech can change lives for the better. And with Samson’s passion and dedication driving the platform, the future looks brighter for women everywhere.
Disclaimer: The views expressed in this article are based on the writer’s insights, supported by data and resources available both online and offline, as applicable. Changeincontent.com is committed to promoting inclusivity across all forms of content, which we define broadly to include media, policies, law, and history—encompassing all elements that influence the lives of women and gender-queer individuals. Our goal is to promote understanding and advocate for comprehensive inclusivity.
