SHIELD

Active

Tech-facilitated GBV

EU organisations consortium project Is a cutting-edge AI to detect and prevent Tech faccilitated GVB among youth. From chatbots to digital tools.

✕ Not endorsed

SHIELD is a relevant European initiative promoting the use of AI and digital education to prevent gender-based violence among young people. However, the publicly available information primarily documents the project and its training platform, rather than providing sufficient access to independently assess the AI-based application and chatbot. Further transparency regarding the tools developed, data protection, safety measures, AI governance and accessibility is needed before endorsing them as reliable and survivor-centred support tools.

✓ Best fit for

Researchers or organisations to create digital tools.

✕ Not ideal for

Not yet recorded.

Safety criteria— by category, in rubric order

Privacy & data · 20% of score

33% · 6/8 rated

Core content accessible without creating an account— Yes
No PII collected by default (name, email, IP, location)— No
Privacy policy in plain language with a short summary— Partially
User data not sold or shared with third parties— Partially
Option to use pseudonym or alternative name— N/A
No auto-save of form content (shared device risk)— No
Opt-in (not opt-out) consent — granular and revocable— No
End-to-end encryption used where applicable— N/A

Safety by design · 20% of score

0% · 2/6 rated

Quick-exit button present (redirects discreetly to neutral page)— No
Content warnings before sensitive or triggering content— No
Disguised notifications or discreet app icon option— N/A
No "people you may know" feature that could expose users to abusers— N/A
Two-factor authentication available— N/A
Safe alternative contact options supported (distinct from personal accounts)Not assessed— Not assessed

Agency, consent & participatory design · 15% of score

50% · 3/7 rated

User controls what information is public vs. private— N/A
Multiple content formats available (video, text, audio)— Yes
Self-paced use possible — no forced sequential flows— N/A
User can opt out of tracking and cookies— No
Survivors co-designed AND co-iterated — not consulted once only— Partially
Tool does not force a single pathway (e.g. 'call police' only)— N/A
Feedback mechanism exists for users to flag issues or suggest content— N/A

Accessibility, equity & inclusion · 15% of score

75% · 8/9 rated

Available in more than one language— Yes
Free to use — no paywall for core content— Yes
Mobile-friendly / responsive design— Yes
WCAG 2.1 AA accessibility compliance documented— Yes
Gender-neutral, non-stigmatising language throughout— Yes
Covers intersectional forms of GBV — not single-issue only— Yes
Works on low bandwidth / poor connectivity— No
Not geographically restricted in access— No
Mitigates risks for users on shared or monitored devices— N/A

Transparency & accountability · 10% of score

75% · 4/6 rated

Creator / organisation clearly identified on the tool— Yes
Last update date visible (signals active maintenance)— No
Scope and limitations clearly stated — including what the tool cannot do— N/A
Funding sources disclosed— Yes
Methodology publicly documented— Yes
Content aligned with global GBV/HP standards and reviewedNot assessed— Not assessed

Tone & trauma-informed UX · 10% of score

50% · 2/5 rated

No graphic or violent imagery — no sensationalised depictions of violence— Yes
Uses "survivor" rather than "victim" language throughout— No
Warm, non-judgmental, validating tone throughout the interface— N/A
Visuals are empowering and gender-diverse — not stereotyping— N/A
Does not minimise or hierarchise different forms of abuse— N/A

AI & algorithmic ethics · 5% of score

N/A · 0/5 rated

Clearly states if and how AI is used in the tool— N/A
Clearly states what AI is usedNot assessed— Not assessed
Provides details of how user's inputs are processed/ saved/ shared with third parties.Not assessed— Not assessed
Chatbots / automated tools clearly identify themselves as non-human— N/A
Human escalation pathway available when AI cannot safely respond— N/A

Sustainability & feminist tech ethos · 5% of score

0% · 1/3 rated

Led or co-led by women, gender-diverse people, or Global Majority organisations— N/A
Openly licensed — can be used, remixed or adapted by others— No
Clearly states compliance with feminist values or trauma-informed design or survivor-centred approachNot assessed— Not assessed

See the Transparency page for how the weighted score and bands are calculated.