Other publication
Ethical and sustainable digital tools to address domestic violence: The role of AI-driven chatbots in welfare services.
Authors: Mielismäki, Hanna; Husso, Marita
Conference name: European Conference on Domestic Violence
Publication year: 2025
Web address : https://www.ecdv2025.com/agenda
Additional information: Abstract accepted for presentation at peer-reviewed conference. Abstract book not published.
Identifying domestic violence (DV) at an early stage is essential for effective prevention. However, victim-survivors often hesitate to disclose their experiences to welfare service practitioners while practitioners face challenges in identifying DV. To tackle these challenges, new scenarios have emerged with the use of artificial intelligence (AI)-driven chatbots. These automated systems simulate human conversation and offer potential to enhance both service efficiency and user experience, as they can respond instantly to multiple users’ needs for information and support. However, interactions between humans and AI systems lie at the intersection of the human need for practical assistance and the risks inherent in digital communication—raising ethical considerations, particularly in the vulnerable context of DV. This study explores the challenges and possibilities of the use of chatbots in welfare services in the context of DV. The data comprise semi-structured interviews with victim-survivors, DV professionals, and criminal justice experts, conducted in 2023 for the Innovative Solutions to Eliminate Domestic Violence (ISEDA) Horizon Europe project. The study utilizes the methods of qualitative content analysis, and the framework of trustworthy AI in the analysis of the empirical data. The findings indicate that the use of chatbots presents challenges related to safety and accountability but can significantly improve the accessibility of information and encourage VS to contact support services. Chatbots could serve as an intermediate support system for victim-survivors and as a supplementary tool for welfare service practitioners to systematically identify DV and proceed with cases. AI technology to support both victim-survivors and practitioners working with DV cases can make a meaningful contribution to the UN Sustainable Development Goals by enhancing societal well-being and sustainability, demonstrating the broader impact of ethical AI solutions.
Funding information in the publication:
This project has received funding from the European Union’s Horizon Europe research and innovation programme under grant agreement No. 101073922 (ISEDA). Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the European Commission. Neither the European Union nor the granting authority can be held responsible for them.