Date: November 14, 2026
The True Post (Web News)A Montreal-based entrepreneur has introduced a new mobile safety application designed to help women protect themselves against harassment, sexual violence and other potentially dangerous situations.
The app, called OurPwr, aims to support users before, during and after situations in which they may feel threatened or unsafe. Its features include discreet emergency alerts, audio and video recording, location sharing and the ability to notify trusted contacts who may be able to provide assistance.
Robin Petrogiannis, the app’s founder and chief executive officer, says the idea emerged from her own experience of sexual harassment at work when she was just 17 years old.
Petrogiannis said the incident left her feeling isolated, frightened and without support. Over time, however, she realized that many other women had experienced similar situations.
Her personal experience motivated her to develop a digital platform that would go beyond conventional emergency applications. Rather than simply allowing users to request help after a dangerous situation begins, OurPwr is designed to help them prepare in advance, respond discreetly and preserve important information if an incident occurs.
OurPwr Offers Special Features for Emergency Situations
Unlike traditional personal safety applications that primarily rely on an emergency button, OurPwr combines advance safety planning with emergency alerts and evidence collection.
One of its key features allows users to activate the application without unlocking their mobile phones. Once activated, the app can record video, audio, location and time-stamped information.
The application also sends an alert to people selected by the user as trusted contacts. This allows friends, family members or other designated individuals to become aware of a potentially dangerous situation and respond if assistance is needed.
The platform is designed to help users communicate distress discreetly, particularly in situations where making a phone call or openly asking for help may not be possible.
Heat Map Shows How Quickly Help Could Arrive
Another important feature is the application’s heat map, which helps users see how close their trusted contacts are and estimate how quickly someone may be able to reach their location.
This feature can be particularly useful before attending a social event, meeting someone for the first time or walking home alone at night.
Users can also prepare safety plans for everyday activities, including travelling after dark, attending parties, going on dates, commuting or visiting locations where they may feel uncomfortable.
The objective is to help women assess their support network and make safety arrangements before entering situations that could potentially become threatening.
Why Many Women Hesitate to Report Harassment
Research highlighted in the reporting on the application, including a 2026 study by Quebec’s National Institute of Public Health (Institut national de santé publique du Québec), points to the precautionary measures women commonly take to feel safer.
These measures can include driving instead of walking, using taxis or avoiding going outside after dark.
Petrogiannis says many women hesitate to report harassment or sexual assault because they fear they will not be believed or may not have evidence to support their accounts.
She believes that preserving information about an incident could give users greater confidence and control over how they choose to proceed.
By recording relevant information and notifying trusted contacts, the application aims to provide an additional source of support for women who may otherwise feel alone when facing an uncomfortable or dangerous situation.
Privacy and Control Over Personal Information
The protection of personal information and recorded evidence is another important aspect of the OurPwr platform.
According to Petrogiannis, information collected through the application is stored securely, while users retain control over their recorded material.
Users can download saved evidence to their own devices after an incident. They can also request its removal from the company’s servers or choose to delete it completely.
Petrogiannis says the company uses security protocols to protect users’ information and does not sell personal data to third parties.
These privacy assurances are particularly important because the application may handle sensitive information, including location details, audio and video recordings.
Interest Extends to Real Estate Agents and Healthcare Workers
Although OurPwr was primarily developed to help women feel safer during everyday activities, interest in the application is also growing among people who work alone.
These include real estate agents and healthcare professionals who may sometimes have to visit unfamiliar locations or work in situations where immediate assistance is not readily available.
Parents concerned about their children’s safety have also expressed interest in the platform as an additional way to maintain contact and provide support.
The company says the application could serve a wider range of users who face potential safety concerns during their professional or personal activities.
iPhone Version Available as Company Prepares for Android Expansion
OurPwr is continuing to develop its platform and expand its reach. The company has been working to raise funds to support further development and plans to introduce an Android version in the near future.
The application is currently available for iPhone users through Apple’s App Store, while additional features are planned for future releases.
The company hopes to make the platform more accessible and effective by expanding its technology and strengthening the safety tools available to users.
Through OurPwr, Petrogiannis aims to use technology to give women and other people who may face safety risks better access to emergency communication, trusted support networks and tools for documenting potentially dangerous incidents.
