Story Mobile App

I’ll Go First addresses the critical need for comprehensive trauma recovery support and effective documentation for survivors of sex trafficking, particularly women and girls. Globally, women and girls account for 71% of human trafficking victims, with 75% of these cases involving sexual exploitation. In the United States, nearly 80% of sex trafficking victims are female, and the majority are children and young adults under the age of 24.

Sex trafficking survivors face numerous challenges that exacerbate their trauma and hinder their recovery. Psychological trauma, such as PTSD, anxiety, and depression, is prevalent among survivors. Studies indicate that up to 88% of sex trafficking survivors exhibit symptoms of PTSD, which complicates their ability to articulate their experiences clearly and seek justice.

Push-Pull Factors:

• Many survivors have a history of unaddressed trauma, which makes them more vulnerable to trafficking including childhood abuse, neglect, and domestic violence.
• Economic instability, lack of access to education, and limited social support networks increase vulnerability to trafficking.
• Survivors often face social stigma and isolation, which prevents them from seeking help and integrating back into society.

Conviction rates for traffickers remain alarmingly low. In the U.S., less than 1% of human trafficking cases result in a conviction. Factors complicating cases include survivors' reluctance to testify due to fear, trauma, and distrust in the legal system. Effective documentation of their experiences is crucial for legal proceedings but is often inadequate or mishandled.

A further significant barrier to addressing sex trafficking is that many survivors do not self-identify or report their situation. Studies show that only 29% of survivors initially self-identify as victims of trafficking. The complex trauma they experience often leaves them unaware of their exploitation, and they may not seek help until they feel safe and supported.

Our solution, the Story app, addresses these critical issues by providing a platform that facilitates trauma recovery and secure documentation. Key features include:

• Simplifies and enhances the process of documenting survivors' experiences for later use in criminal proceedings.
• Provides tailored mental health resources and trauma recovery tools. 
• Ensures data security and survivor ownership of their information.
• Converts spoken or written narratives into structured documentation.

By empowering survivors to document their experiences securely and access tailored mental health support, we aim to enhance their ability to seek justice and rebuild their lives. Our approach puts the power back into the hands of survivors, helping them navigate their journey from victimhood to empowerment.

Our solution, the Story app,is a behavioral health app specifically developed for survivors of sex trafficking and gender-based violence. It offers a safe, secure, and user-friendly environment for survivors to document their experiences, manage PTSD symptoms, and make sense of their trauma.

The Story app provides a comprehensive set of tools and resources to aid in trauma recovery and self-advocacy. Key functionalities include:

• Therapeutic evidence-backed storytelling techniques to help survivors make sense of their experiences. 
• Simplified and enhanced documentation process, making it easier for survivors to record their experiences accurately for later use. 
• Data security and ownership, allowing survivors to control their information and share it only with authorized individuals.

By combining these technologies, the Story app provides a comprehensive platform that empowers survivors to take control of their recovery journey. 

As we further develop our existing app, Story, we are committed to ensuring the ethical and responsible use of technology, particularly when integrating AI. Given the sensitive nature of working with survivors of sex trafficking, our approach prioritizes privacy, security, and ethical considerations to safeguard our users.

The privacy and security of our users' data are paramount. Our approach includes:

• All user data, including personal information and documented experiences, will be encrypted both in transit and at rest to prevent unauthorized access.
• Blockchain technology will be used to ensure secure and tamper-proof data storage, guaranteeing data integrity and giving survivors complete control over their information.

Users will have full control over their data, including the ability to decide who can access their information and to revoke access at any time. We will ensure users are fully informed about how their data will be used, obtaining explicit consent before any data is collected or shared.

The integration of AI in our app is designed to support survivors without compromising their safety or well-being. Key measures include:

• Implementing rigorous checks to ensure our AI algorithms are free from bias, including training on diverse datasets and continuous monitoring to identify and correct any bias.
• Maintaining transparency in how our AI functions, informing users about AI usage in the app, particularly in documentation and analysis of their experiences.

As we develop the Story app, we will conduct comprehensive risk assessments to identify potential risks and implement the following mitigation strategies:

• Performing regular security and privacy audits to identify and address vulnerabilities, including penetration testing and reviewing data handling practices.
• Compliance with relevant data protection regulations, including GDPR and CCPA, with ongoing adjustments to ensure continued compliance.
• Ethical advisory board comprising experts in AI, data privacy, and trauma-informed care to provide ongoing guidance and oversight, ensuring ethical practices as we scale.

We are proactive in understanding the policy implications of our work. This includes engaging with policymakers, participating in relevant discussions, and advocating for regulations that protect survivors' rights and promote ethical AI use.

Our solution serves survivors of human trafficking and gender-based violence, with a specific focus on women and girls who have experienced sex trafficking. This population includes individuals from marginalized communities, such as migrants, refugees, and those from lower socioeconomic backgrounds. These survivors often face significant barriers to recovery, including limited access to mental health and trauma recovery resources, legal support, and social services.

Survivors of human trafficking are frequently underserved due to various systemic and personal barriers. We are committed to empowering survivors on two of the many barriers survivors face: survivor empowerment during criminal proceedings and supporting recovery from PTSD:

• Legal Barriers: Navigating the legal system can be overwhelming and retraumatizing for survivors, especially when pursuing justice against their traffickers. The complexity of legal processes and the need for substantial evidence often deter survivors from seeking legal recourse.
• Psychological Trauma: The severe trauma endured by survivors can lead to complex PTSD, depression, anxiety, and other mental health issues. These psychological challenges are often compounded by a lack of understanding and support from the broader community.

Our solution, the Story app, is designed to address these challenges by providing a comprehensive, technology-driven approach to trauma recovery and self-advocacy.

As the founder of I’ll Go First, I bring a personal understanding of the trauma recovery journey. As a survivor of childhood abuse and sexual assault, I have dedicated my life to supporting other survivors. 

I began my journey working with sex trafficking survivors when I went to India as an eighteen-year-old in search of my biological family. It was there that I learned about the horrors of child sex trafficking. I returned to the United States with an unwavering commitment to fight for the rights of trafficking survivors. It is hard to believe that it's been twenty years since then. In that time, I have led two different trafficking organizations, working with hotels to support education and awareness, and throughout Southeast Asia supporting survivors as they reintegrate into their communities. 

In 2015, I pivoted and founded my own organization, I'll Go First, out of a desire to get ahead of vulnerabilities that drive trafficking, namely lack of access to trauma recovery resources. We focus our efforts on digital tools because we know modern day recruitment is so prevent throughout social media platforms. Fortunately, our work on digital platforms also provides us a way to support survivors all around the globe.

Story was launched in response to so many survivors feeling unsure and intimidated by the criminal justice proceedings. I can empathize. When I reported my incidences, I was told I didn't have the financial and family support needed to endure pursing charges against my perpetrators. 

Our hope is that by recording PTSD symptoms as they occur, and combining that with secure documentation, survivors will have a tool that can support them when they navigate testifying against their perpetrator, and that this data can contribute to the growing international codification of sexual violence.

Our team includes a diverse group of professionals with extensive experience in the fields of mental health, legal advocacy, and technology. We have legal experts who specialize in the rights of trafficking survivors, ensuring that our app aligns with current legal standards and advocacy needs. Our subject matter experts in trauma-informed care and narrative therapy contribute their knowledge to the development of therapeutic content and features within the app.

A cornerstone of our approach is the involvement of our Survivor Advocacy Board. This board comprises survivors of trafficking who provide invaluable insights, feedback, and guidance throughout the development process. Their lived experiences ensure that the app addresses real-world challenges and remains survivor centered. Our approach is not just to create a product but to build a supportive ecosystem where survivors feel heard, valued, and empowered.

We developed an initial android version of the Story app in 2017 with Re:Coded, a nonprofit serving survivors of the Iraq and Syrian conflict. These incredible students took ownership of the app and we really saw the impact a supportive PTSD recovery tool could have when it was built for survivors by survivors. 

Next, we joined forces with Civic Hall to upgrade Story's code. We have come very far with just volunteer teams, however, we faced funding challenges that slowed our technical development. 

Despite these hurdles, we nurtured our research and development and continued to test and refine our approach through our other oral storytelling programming. This has allowed us to expand our research and validate the app's core principles and methodologies. 

Most importantly it has narrowed our focus for the app. We are committed to improving long term justice outcomes for survivors of trafficking and gender-based violence. It is why we believe putting the power of story back into the hands of survivors, and integrating documentation tools alongside PTSD symptom tracking is the key to unlocking enormous potential for survivors. 

Here’s what we have accomplished so far:

• We have gathered feedback from our initial prototype users, which has been crucial in refining the app’s features and user interface.
• Through our user researcher, our next iteration of Story, will include documentation tools, secure data storage, and flexible input methods.
• We have engaged with over 50 survivors and advocates through our pilot program and workshops, helping us validate the app’s methodology and identify areas for improvement.

Pitch Challenges and Awards for Story:

• 2016 Bloomberg Women in Tech Top Five Finalist
• 2016 New York University Mental Health Tech Pitch Top Five Finalist    
• 2016 Cornell Health Tech Conference Top Ten Finalist
• 2018 10x10 Charity Top Three Finalist (Fundraiser: $7,000)
• 2019 Meet In Place Campaign

Organizational Fellowships for Story Development: 

• 2014 Center for Social Innovation
• 2017 Re:Coded Tech Fellow
• 2017 All Good Work Resident
• 2018 Civic Hall Delta NYC Fellow
• 2019 Service Corp Net Impact Fellow

We are applying to the MIT Solve Challenge to overcome specific financial, and technical barriers that have hindered the full-scale deployment of the Story app. Despite the progress we have made, we need additional support to refine and expand our solution to serve more survivors effectively. Now that we have clarified Story's use-case and are unapologetically pursuing justice for survivors we know we are ready for the next iteration of Story.

Financial Barriers:

• Financial resources to integrate advanced AI functionalities into the app, enhance its user interface, and ensure it remains accessible and secure. Additional funding will enable us to create a sustainable model for continuous improvement and scaling of the app.

Technical Barriers:

• We know we must join the wave of AI advancement. We aim to integrate natural language processing (NLP) and voice augmentation technologies to automate and augment the documentation process for survivors. These efforts will include upgrading our infrastructure to handle a larger user base and ensure that the app remains robust and responsive as it scales.

Because our approach is interdiscplinary and combines the efforts of neuroscience, PTSD backed research on memory recall, and criminal justice, we know MIT Solve can provide the right network of community and innovative thinkers to bring Story to life in its full capacity to better serve survivors of sex trafficking.

The Story app represents a unique approach to trauma recovery and self-advocacy for survivors of sex trafficking, combining advanced technology with trauma-informed narrative therapy. Our solution stands out due to several key innovations:

• Integration of AI for Enhanced Documentation
• Multifaceted Approach to PTSD Symptom Management
• A survivor-centered approach ensures that the app is not only user-friendly but also addresses the unique challenges faced by trafficking survivors, such as fear of retribution, mistrust of authorities, and the need for confidentiality.
• Utilizing blockchain technology for secure data storage, the app ensures that all data is owned by the survivors and is both secure and accessible.

By demonstrating the efficacy of combining AI with trauma-informed care, we pave the way for more digital health interventions that are both effective and accessible. 

Our ultimate goal is to create a ripple effect that enhances the quality and accessibility of trauma recovery and legal services across the globe, particularly in the Global South where access to resources remains limited.

Theory of Change: Our solution, the Story app, aims to empower survivors of sex trafficking by providing them with tools to document their experiences, manage PTSD symptoms, and support their journey towards healing and justice. The logical framework of our theory of change is as follows:

Activities:

• Survivors use the Story app to record their experiences.
• Story offers features like narrative therapy exercises to help survivors manage PTSD and make sense of their story.
• Story provides educational resources and practical guidance on self-advocacy.

Immediate Outputs:

• Comprehensive Records
• Increased Awareness
• Enhanced Confidence

Longer-Term Outcomes:

• Improved Mental Health: Regular use of the app's therapeutic features leads to reduced PTSD symptoms and improved mental health.
• Increased Self-Advocacy: Survivors are better equipped to communicate their experiences and needs to legal authorities, healthcare providers, and support networks.
• Greater Access to Justice: Survivors leverage their lived experiences, increasing the likelihood of convictions and justice being served.

Evidence Supporting this Theory of Change:

• Third-Party Research: Studies have shown that narrative therapy can significantly reduce PTSD symptoms and improve mental health outcomes for trauma survivors. The integration of AI in mental health apps has also been found to enhance user engagement and provide personalized support.
• Impact Evaluation: Our previous pilot programs and workshops have demonstrated that survivors who engage in oral storytelling workshops report higher levels of self-trust and self-belief.
• Interviews with Target Population: Feedback from survivors who have used the prototype of the Story app reenforces the positive impact of our integrated approach. 

Why We Expect Impact:

• Personalized Support: The AI-enhanced features provide tailored support to each survivor, addressing their unique experiences and symptoms.
• Holistic Approach: Story offers comprehensive tools that addresses multiple aspects of trauma recovery.
• Survivor-Centered Design: The involvement of our Survivor Advocacy Board ensures that the app meets the real needs of survivors, increasing its effectiveness and relevance.

The Story app is designed to provide survivors of sex trafficking with the tools and support they need to document their experiences, manage PTSD symptoms, and advocate for themselves. By empowering survivors with these resources, we aim to improve mental health outcomes, enhance self-advocacy, and increase access to justice, ultimately contributing to the broader goal of supporting survivors and combating human trafficking.

Impact Goals:

Empower Survivors through Self-Advocacy:

Goal: Equip survivors of sex trafficking with the tools and confidence needed to document their experiences, manage PTSD symptoms, and advocate for their needs.

Indicators:

• Number of survivors using the Story app to document their experiences.
• User feedback on increased confidence and self-advocacy skills through app interactions.
• Number of survivors who successfully use their documentation in legal or healthcare settings.

Improve Mental Health Outcomes:

Goal: Enhance the mental health and well-being of survivors by providing effective tools for managing PTSD and other trauma-related symptoms.

Indicators:

• Reduction in PTSD symptom severity as measured by standardized assessments (e.g., PTSD Checklist for DSM-5).
• User engagement with therapeutic features 
• Improvement in overall mental health scores on self-reported surveys.

Increase Access to Justice:

Goal: Support survivors in pursuing justice against traffickers by providing comprehensive and credible documentation of their experiences.

Indicators:

• Number of legal cases where the Story app was as a supportive victim trial preparation tool.
• Feedback from legal professionals on the usefulness the app.
• Conviction rates in cases where the app was utilized.

Foster Long-Term Resilience and Independence:

Goal: Build long-term resilience in survivors by supporting their journey towards independence and self-sufficiency.

Indicators:

• Number of survivors reporting increased resilience and coping skills.   
• User retention and continued use of the app over time.
• Success stories of survivors achieving personal and professional milestones.

Measuring Progress:

User Analytics:

• Data Collection: Track app usage metrics, including frequency of use, duration of sessions, and engagement with specific features.
• Analysis: Use analytics to understand user behavior, identify popular features, and areas needing improvement.

Surveys and Feedback:

• Data Collection: Conduct regular surveys and collect feedback from users to assess their experiences and outcomes.
• Analysis: Analyze survey results to gauge the app’s impact on mental health, self-advocacy, and overall well-being.

Clinical Assessments:

• Data Collection: Utilize standardized mental health assessments (e.g., PTSD Checklist for DSM-5) to measure changes in symptom severity.
• Analysis: Compare pre- and post-intervention scores to evaluate the effectiveness of the app’s therapeutic features.

Case Studies and Success Stories:

• Data Collection: Document individual success stories and case studies to highlight the app’s impact on survivors’ lives.
• Analysis: Use qualitative data to provide a deeper understanding of the app’s benefits and identify areas for further development.

Legal Outcomes:

• Data Collection: Track the number of legal cases where the app was used and the outcomes of these cases.
• Analysis: Collaborate with legal professionals to assess the quality and effectiveness of the documentation in supporting justice for survivors.

By setting clear impact goals and using a combination of quantitative and qualitative measures to track progress, we ensure that the Story app is making a meaningful difference in the lives of survivors. Our ongoing evaluation and feedback processes enable us to continuously improve the app and expand its reach, ultimately contributing to the broader mission of empowering survivors and combating sex trafficking.

The Story app leverages the most recent technologies to iterate and expand solutions for survivors of sex trafficking, focusing on trauma documentation and PTSD symptom management. Here are the core technologies that power our solution:

• Natural Language Processing (NLP) and machine learning algorithms, analyze and structure inputs provided by survivors. 
• Advanced voice augmentation technology to facilitate audio recordings of survivor narratives. 
• To ensure the security and integrity of sensitive information, the Story app uses blockchain technology for data storage
• Secure cloud-based infrastructure to ensure that all data is safely stored and easily accessible. 
• Designed with accessibility in mind to ensure that all survivors, regardless of their technological proficiency or physical abilities, can use it effectively.

By integrating these advanced technologies, the Story app empowers survivors to take control of their healing journey, seek justice, and rebuild their lives with confidence and resilience.

We bring in experts and volunteers on a per-project basis to ensure we have the best talent and insights for each initiative.

• Full-time Staff: 1 (Founder, Jessica Minhas)
• Contractors/Project-Based/Volunteers: 10-20 depending on the project or event
• Survivor Leader Advocacy Board: 10 members
• Tech and Design Advisors: Various advisors and contractors as needed
• All-Female Design and Engineering Team: Currently building the app

We first developed the concept of Story in 2014 and successfully built the app from 2014 to 2018, earning multiple awards and accolades for our innovative approach. 

Although I had to step away from the project due to illness, we continued to refine and enhance our concepts and storytelling programming through I'll Go First. 

Now, with renewed focus and energy, we are fully prepared to take the Story app into its next iteration.

At I'll Go First, diversity, equity, and inclusion are at the core of our mission and operations. We believe that a diverse and inclusive environment is essential for fostering innovation and achieving our goals. Here’s how we ensure a welcoming and inclusive environment for all team members:

Our executive board and advisory teams include survivor leaders who bring invaluable insights and experiences to our organization. This representation ensures that the voices of those we serve are heard at the highest levels of decision-making. Our leadership team is also composed of individuals from various cultural, ethnic, and professional backgrounds, reflecting the diversity of the communities we aim to support.

Our dedicated Survivor Leader Advocacy Board consisting of 10 members who provide critical input and guidance on our projects and initiatives. Their lived experiences inform our strategies, ensuring that our solutions are relevant and effective for the communities we serve.

We are committed to minimizing barriers to opportunity for our staff. Our recruitment process prioritizes inclusivity and equity, actively seeking out candidates from underrepresented groups. We offer flexible working conditions to accommodate diverse needs and ensure that all team members have the support they need to thrive.

Our first iteration of Story was built by a collaboration between New York based engineers and Re:Coded, a nonprofit based in Iraq which provides coding classes to IDPs and refugees. Now, we are working with an all-female design and engineering team to develop the next iteration of Story app. This partnership not only supports gender equity in the tech industry but also brings diverse perspectives to our technological solutions, enhancing their effectiveness and impact.

We actively engage with the communities we serve to ensure that our solutions are informed by their needs and experiences. This engagement includes regular consultations, feedback sessions, and collaborative projects that empower community members to contribute to our work.

By embedding diversity, equity, and inclusion into every aspect of our organization, we create a dynamic and supportive environment where all team members can thrive. This commitment not only strengthens our team but also enhances our ability to develop innovative solutions that truly make a difference in the lives of survivors.

Our business model for I’ll Go First and our Story app focuses on delivering value to survivors of trauma, particularly those affected by human trafficking, through innovative digital tools and support services. We operate primarily in a B2C (Business to Consumer) model, with aspects of B2B (Business to Business) partnerships to expand our reach and impact.

Key Customers and Beneficiaries:

• Survivors of Trauma: Our primary beneficiaries are individuals who have experienced trauma, with a focus on survivors of human trafficking and gender-based violence. 
• Mental Health Professionals and Organizations: We collaborate with therapists, counselors, and mental health organizations to integrate our tools into their practices, enhancing the support they provide to their clients.

Products and Services:

• Story App: A comprehensive behavioral health app that offers: Documentation Tools, PTSD Symptom Management, and Emergency Support Integration with Crisis Text Line for immediate support.
• Storytelling Workshops: Virtual and in-person workshops that empower survivors to share their stories in a supportive environment, fostering resilience and self-advocacy.
• Educational Content and Resources: Digital media campaigns, webinars, and informational materials that educate survivors and their support networks about trauma recovery and self-advocacy.

Revenue Model:

• Grants and Donations: We seek funding from foundations, government grants, and individual donors who are committed to supporting trauma recovery and human trafficking and gender-based violence prevention.
• Workshops and Training Fees: Fees from our storytelling workshops, webinars, and training sessions offered to professionals, organizations, and communities provide a steady revenue stream. These programs not only generate income but also expand our reach and impact.
• Strategic Partnerships: Collaborations with mental health organizations, NGOs, advocacy groups, and corporate partners help us tap into additional funding sources and expand our impact. These partnerships provide financial support, technical expertise, and access to broader networks.

Our plan for becoming financially sustainable involves a multifaceted approach that leverages diverse revenue streams, strategic partnerships, and grant funding to ensure the long-term viability of I'll Go First and the Story app. 

• Strong community support demonstrated through workshop participation, volunteer involvement, and individual donations, indicating a solid base of support and interest in our mission.
• Cultivating relationships with donors and supporters to secure ongoing contributions.
• Expanding the reach and impact of the Story app and our workshops to increase user engagement and revenue.

We are committed to leveraging every opportunity to support survivors of trauma and human trafficking and to expand our innovative solutions to a global audience.