Richmond survivor creates AI app to help identify and document abuse

During Domestic Violence Awareness Month, WTVR CBS 6 reported on an AI app developed by a Richmond-area survivor to assist others in recognizing and documenting abuse. The app, named Lea, was created by Irawati Puteri, founder and CEO of Legali AI, who experienced abuse herself starting at age 17 but only identified it years later.

Puteri explained that abuse can be difficult to recognize when it involves coercive control, financial manipulation, or isolation rather than visible injuries. Lea uses artificial intelligence to help users describe their experiences in their own words and identify patterns of abuse.

The app also allows users to keep secure, dated records of notes and messages, which can be important for survivors seeking emotional or legal support. Licensed clinical social worker Sean Snyder, a clinical advisor for Legali AI, contributed to the app’s design to ensure it supports survivors effectively.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, more than one in three women and more than one in six men in the U.S. have experienced intimate partner violence, highlighting the widespread need for tools like Lea.

WTVR CBS 6’s coverage emphasizes the local impact of this technology, which aims to empower survivors in Richmond and beyond to recognize abuse and access help when ready.