Digital tools like Safe YOU allow women and girls to seek help discreetly, to access verified legal and psychological support, and to do so in the right moment, before it is too late. The European Union is proud to support this work and I'm encouraged to see Safe YOU expand to more countries. With each new rollout, we build a Europe where women and girls can live free from fear and fully exercise their rights.

Despite advances and continued efforts to raise awareness and intervene, gender-based violence remains a painful and complex reality. In fact, one in four women in Romania experiences physical or sexual assault in their lifetime. Therefore, initiatives like SafeYOU, which prioritize women's safety and well-being, foster empowering connections, and offer updated resources on domestic abuse prevention are crucial. SafeYOU aims to build a strong, supportive network for both Ukrainian and Romanian women. This collective approach not only empowers individuals but also strengthens the overall resilience of the community.

This is a way we can hopefully attract people to come to us and get the help they need. We can use it both to continue our standard work, but also to reach new audiences and to let people know that we are here for them and we also have shelters and a helpline and a rape crisis center and so on.

I am inspired by stories of young people like Mariam, a young entrepreneur from Armenia who has developed the SafeYOU App, connecting survivors and persons at risk of gender-based violence with support services.

I was also a survivor of sexual assault. At the time, I felt afraid and alone, which prompted me not to report the attack. It was a powerful example of the violence and vulnerability that women from all backgrounds may face – and the need for tools like Safe YOU to respond.

When I first saw the Safe YOU app I was totally amazed. Many times survivors don't feel supported because of various reasons, but now through this app combining all the resources we can see everything coming together to help survivors.

At the Domestic Violence Resource Center, we truly strive to empower victims to escape and become survivors—not just victims. I believe the Safe YOU app will be incredibly helpful. It will help bridge the gap for those who are afraid to report or don't have enough resources. This is a great app.