When his girlfriend witnessed a sexual assault and intervened by calling the police, a lawyer was motivated to develop a tool that became the first Finnish tech start up to compete for the Women's Safety XPRIZE in 2017. Harnessing the power of peer-to-peer technology, big data and machine learning as allies in a mission to create safer communities, it was also an effective way to defeat bystander apathy.

This session will explore the possibilities and limitations of technology for personal safety; it will also address larger issues for those who identify as women. We'll touch on strategies such as: investing in innovation, using your skills to develop innovative solutions and recognizing men and boys as agents of change to take action in combating sexual assault in all its forms.

[Programming descriptions are generated by participants and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of SXSW.]