Violetta

Violetta is a free, confidential, and digital resource offering support, information, and a path to professional help through its chatbot and web application. Though initially developed as a resource to address violence during the pandemic lockdowns, Violetta's vision was always rooted in prevention. Its approach prioritizes the creation of healthy relationships, ensuring that early signs of violence are tackled before they intensify, addressing the issue at its core and empowering its users with tools that will allow them to build healthy relationships sustainably. Our product encompasses four core components:

Conversational Chatbot: Operating on WhatsApp, this chatbot uses predefined and automated paths to guide conversations on a variety of topics, including self-love, emotions, romantic relationships, family dynamics, breakups, sexual safety, and violence.

Educational Web Application: Through this platform users can access answers to frequently asked questions, detailed insights on various topics, and additional resources that complement their process of creating healthy relationships with themselves and others.

Professional Network: Integrated within the chatbot, this feature allows users to connect with a professional psychologist, either through text or a phone call. Additionally, users can access a directory filled with essential resources, including shelters, medical and legal assistance centers, abortion clinics, pertinent government agencies, and other NGOs that focus on related issues. 

Data Analysis: Each interaction with the chatbot generates data, providing insights on user needs and the situations they face. This statistical data collection identifies crucial patterns, enhancing our understanding of the issue of violence without jeopardizing user privacy and safety.

Demo video: ¡Conoce a Violetta!

Violetta is dedicated to fostering healthy relationships. Recognizing the universality of relationships in everybody's lives, the breadth of our impact can be vast. Violetta is for individuals who:

1. Have any type of question, uncertainty or concern regarding their relationships with themselves or with others.

2. Don't have a safe, private,and well-equipped space to explore these concerns without risking their safety, confidentiality, comfort or overall well-being.

We've identified three primary groups within our users:

The first group comprises individuals who are beginning to navigate or question their relationships. They may be starting to engage in romantic relationships or simply starting to reevaluate their existing ones. For these individuals, Violetta serves as an educational tool – providing information and promoting reflection. 

The second group is composed of individuals facing specific dilemmas in their relationships. Whether it's a complex situation they're entangled in or a significant decision they're contemplating, Violetta stands by their side as a confidant and guide, offering practical advice and consistent support. 

The final group includes individuals who suspect or recognize they're in a violent or abusive situation. These might be individuals just realizing the nature of their relationship, with Violetta helping them identify relevant signs of violence. Once acknowledged, or for those already aware, Violetta acts as a referral tool, leading them to immediate help from a professional. 

In Mexico, gender-based violence predominantly affects women, and this is reflected in the demographic composition of our users, with about 80% identifying as female. Moreover, there is a pronounced concentration in the age group of 18 to 25, an age bracket marked by important transitions in relationships, education, or careers. By understanding these dynamics, we've tailored Violetta's tools and resources to best address the needs and challenges faced by these individuals, while remaining accessible and beneficial to anyone else irrespective of their age or gender.

In a society where healthy relationships can be the bedrock of mental health, and hence of the prevention of violence, many are underserved in terms of having platforms to address their relational concerns. Violetta aims to bridge this gap, ensuring that every individual, regardless of their relational stage or challenge, has a safe space to turn to.

Violetta emerged from the shared vision of four young women navigating their early post-college years during the onset of the Covid pandemic. Recognizing a significant societal challenge, they channeled their passion, personal experiences, and heightened awareness of how violence affects us all into crafting an innovative solution. Violetta was founded on the understanding that we are perpetually in relationships, and our overall well-being is intrinsically tied to the health of these connections, a premise deeply recognized by its four founders. Now, Violetta is supported by a team of ten young women from diverse backgrounds who not only share this understanding but also believe that Violetta offers a direct solution.

Given that our target audience comprises women of similar ages and backgrounds as those in our team, its women-centric nature is essential for the advancement of our mission. The first hand understanding, empathy, and unique perspectives our team members bring to the table shape the direction and depth of our interventions. This approach ensures that our strategies and solutions are rooted in the lived realities of those we aim to assist, as we inherently prioritize and validate the experiences and narratives of girls and women. This enables us to create tools that are more resonant and effective.  

To understand the needs of those we serve and ensure their active engagement in the development of our solution, we have implemented a comprehensive approach:

• Data Generation and Analysis: At its core, Violetta is committed to generating data that offers a clear insight into the problems faced by our users. Through analyzing user interactions, we gain an understanding of the primary topics of concern, how users relate to these topics, their emotional undertones, and demographic data. This allows us to make data-driven decisions and tailor our platform to the specific contexts of our users.

• Community Engagement and Feedback: Regularly interacting with our community through social media and other communication channels is essential. We solicit feedback on what topics resonate with them and what areas require more work. Through analyzing open-field responses, we gain raw, unfiltered insights into user needs and preferences.

• Advanced Analytical Tools: Utilizing Natural Language Processing (NLP) aids us in discerning patterns and relationships between various topics discussed by our users. This not only offers a deeper understanding of the problems but also guides us in creating content that's tailored to address specific concerns.

• Expert Network Collaboration: To ensure our approach remains grounded and informed, we have established a network of experts in related fields. Engaging with them provides us with diverse perspectives, allowing us to incorporate valuable insights and make our solution more holistic and effective.

In summary, the design and implementation of our solution are heavily informed by continuous data analysis, direct community feedback, technological tools, expert insights, and the expertise and insights our team brings both personally and professionally, ensuring that it remains relevant and aligned with the needs of the communities we serve.

Since the launch of our chatbot in 2020, Violetta has assisted over 200,000 individuals. Throughout 2023, we have been engaging with an average of 22,000 users each month.

Violetta's innovation lies at the intersection of technology, early intervention, and holistic understanding of violence prevention. This combination offers great potential for unparalleled reach, a sustainable solution to violence, and innovative decision-making.

Accessibility: As a completely free, confidential, and digital platform, Violetta leverages the pervasive reach of technology, ensuring that help is not only a few clicks away but also guarantees user's privacy. This combination removes traditional barriers, allowing more individuals to seek assistance without the concerns of cost or exposure.

Preventive approach: While many interventions react to violence after it has occurred, Violetta is distinguished by its preventive emphasis. By focusing on the earliest signs and underlying factors of violence, we not only curb its escalation but also provide sustainable, long-term solutions that foster healthier relationships from the outset.

Data generation: With Violetta, we're not just offering a solution; we're also generating invaluable data. By collecting and analyzing information often overlooked in traditional measures, we can reveal previously unrecognized patterns, trends, and opportunities. This iterative feedback not only drives the continuous refinement of our platform but also paves the way for better informed strategies to address the issue of violence. 

3 years