How this directory works, who maintains it, and how tools are assessed.
This directory catalogues digital tools relevant to gender-based violence (GBV), including tools that can be used by survivors, service providers, researchers, or the law enforcement. It is maintained by an editorial team in partnership with activist organisations working on GBV across Europe.
Every tool is reviewed against 49 criteria grouped into 8 weighted categories. Each criterion is answered on a four-point scale:
| Yes | 1 point | Criterion fully met |
| Partially | 0.5 points | Partially met or in progress |
| No | 0 points | Not met |
| N/A | excluded | Does not apply to this kind of tool - left out of the calculation |
A category's score is the mean of its applicable criteria. The overall score is the weighted mean across categories, counting only those where at least one criterion applied, so a tool is never penalised for criteria that could not reasonably apply to it. A tool does not need to meet every criterion to be listed. Apart from the score the team also provides a summary of the evaluation.
85–100%: Very good
70–84%: Good
50–69%: Modest
Below 50%: Concerning
8 of the 49 criteria are marked critical - things like collecting no personal data by default, or offering a quick-exit button.
Tools are assessed against a rubric of 49 criteria across 8 weighted categories. Each category contributes to the overall score in proportion to its weight, shown below. Every answer, the per-category score and any red flags appear on the tool's own page.
Core content accessible without creating an account
No PII collected by default (name, email, IP, location) [Critical]
Privacy policy in plain language with a short summary [Critical]
User data not sold or shared with third parties [Critical]
Option to use pseudonym or alternative name
No auto-save of form content (shared device risk) [Critical]
Opt-in (not opt-out) consent - granular and revocable [Critical]
End-to-end encryption used where applicable
Quick-exit button present (redirects discreetly to neutral page) [Critical]
Content warnings before sensitive or triggering content
Disguised notifications or discreet app icon option
No "people you may know" feature that could expose users to abusers
Two-factor authentication available
Safe alternative contact options supported (distinct from personal accounts)
Unconditional access - no disclosure of a survivor status required to use the tool [Critical]
The user controls what information is public vs. private
Multiple content formats available (video, text, audio)
Self-paced use possible - no forced sequential flows
User can opt out of tracking and cookies
Survivors co-designed AND co-iterated - not consulted once only
Tool does not force a single pathway (e.g. 'call police' only)
Solution idea originated with or from the intended user community
Feedback mechanism exists for users to flag issues or suggest content
Available in more than one language
Free to use - no paywall for core content
Mobile-friendly / responsive design
WCAG 2.1 AA accessibility compliance documented
Gender-neutral, non-stigmatising language throughout
Covers intersectional forms of GBV - not single-issue only
Works on low bandwidth / poor connectivity
Not geographically restricted in access
Designed for users with low digital literacy
Mitigates risks for users on shared or monitored devices
Creator / organisation clearly identified on the tool
Last update date visible (signals active maintenance)
Scope and limitations clearly stated - including what the tool cannot do
Funding sources disclosed
User feedback and bug reporting mechanism exists
Open source or methodology publicly documented
No graphic or violent imagery - no sensationalised depictions of violence [Critical]
Uses "survivor" rather than "victim" language throughout
Warm, non-judgmental, validating tone throughout the interface
Visuals are empowering and gender-diverse, not stereotyping
Does not minimise or hierarchise different forms of abuse
Content aligned with global GBV standards and reviewed
Clearly states if and how AI is used in the tool
AI validated for specific user base, not deployed out-of-the-box
Risks and bias assessment documented
Chatbots / automated tools clearly identify themselves as non-human
Human escalation pathway available when AI cannot safely respond
Led or co-led by women, gender-diverse people, or Global Majority organisations
Openly licensed - can be used, remixed or adapted by others
Does not duplicate existing tools without meaningful improvement or localisation
Environmental impact of infrastructure considered and minimised
Association for Progressive Communications. (2016). Feminist principles of the internet - Version 2.0. available online here
Chayn. (2023). Trauma-informed design: The white paper. available online here
United Nations Population Fund. (2023). Guidance on the safe and ethical use of technology to address gender-based violence and harmful practices: Implementation summary. available online here
United Nations Population Fund. (2025, 21 sierpnia). UNFPA and partners champion ethical approaches in the Safety Showcase: Reimagine Gender in Technology. available online here
✓ No third-party analytics that fingerprint users. Analytics are self-hosted or not used.
✓ No fonts or scripts loaded from third-party CDNs.
✓ No user accounts or tracking cookies.
✓ Filtering and search happen in the browser, no queries are sent to a server.
✓ All API calls are build-time only; the live site serves only static files.
See something wrong or missing? Send feedback or suggest a tool.