A pair of law tech founders have joined forces to launch the I Care About Conflict campaign to give victims of family violence free access to an AI-powered separation support platform this Family and Domestic Violence Prevention Month.
Angela Harbinson (the Separation Guide) and Jenny Rudd (Dispute Buddy) are urging corporate Australia to put their money where their ESG statements are and buying someone in need a 12-months SepGuide plan.
“This isn’t charity. It’s an impact investment,” said Harbinson. “We’re using data, AI and compassion to address one of society’s biggest human and economic challenges – conflict.”
The ABS estimates that 1 in 4 Australian women have experienced violence from a partner or family member in their lifetime. Yet chronically underfunded women’s legal centres are turning away around 1,000 women every week – or 52,000 women a year – many of whom are seeking help leaving a violent relationship.
“We saw a clear unmet need in the data – over 25% of our SepGuide Plan users were family violence survivors,” Harbinson said.
“This campaign unites tech, law and business to deliver proactive, measurable support at scale.”
Buying a SepGuide plan gives people an AI-powered triage, customised check-lists and referrals, four adviser sessions on the “Supporter Plus” tier, personalised plan that changes with the user’s circumstances.
It’s esimated that domestic and family violence costs the Australian economy some $26 billion annually.
Harbinson estimates that each donated plan creates $210,000 in social impact by avoiding downstream legal and welfare costs.
The Separation Guide won a Grand Prix in the 2022 Pause Awards and saw Harbinson win Innovator of the Year at 2024 Lawyers Weekly Women in Law awards.
Jenny Rudd said partnering with the Separation Guide for this campaign was a no-brainer. Her own company, Dispute Buddy, is an automated dispute evidence tool that helps track down and consolidate messages and emails for people to pass onto their lawyers.
“With our app, you don’t have to re-read painful messages. We search and find them for you,” Rudd said. “Partnering with I Care About Conflict is the right alignment for us. We both care about using tech for good.”
Rudd is based in New Zealand and was selected for Techstars’ 2024 Sydney cohort
If you are in need of support, call 1800 RESPECT or Lifeline on 13 11 14.
Daily startup news and insights, delivered to your inbox.