Turning My Trauma into Triumph: From Victim to Social Network Creator

Olivia DeRamus, a 19-year-old university student in California, experienced sexual assault but felt unable to speak out about it. She reported the incident, leading to an investigation and action being taken by her university. Instead of going to the police, Olivia opted to avoid further trauma, but was still caught in a lengthy legal battle. She was even sued for defamation by her assailant, using the financial pressure as a means to silence her. Throughout the legal proceedings, Olivia couldn't openly discuss her experience, fearing her words would be used against her in court. Feeling the need for a safe space to talk about her situation, Olivia founded Communia, a unique social network focused on "social health", providing journaling, mood tracking, community support, and other resources. The app, designed for women and non-binary individuals, includes an anonymous "Twitter-style" feed to maintain privacy and protect users from online abuse. Communia has attracted victims of physical assault, as well as victims of online abuse looking for a safe platform to express themselves. The app employs human moderators and verifies members through email and photo identification for sensitive topics. Olivia faced skepticism from industry professionals, but believes that creating a safe social network can be achieved on a large scale. The safety features of Communia are a significant draw for users. The app does not rely on advertising and has gained over 100,000 downloads, primarily in the UK and the US. While the basic app is free, Olivia aims to make the business profitable without advertising by offering additional features. However, sustaining a loyal base of paid subscribers may prove challenging. Cornell University professor Brooke Erin Duffy suggests that scaling up while maintaining a sense of community will be a key challenge. For Olivia, the community built through Communia is immensely important, considering her own personal experience. She acknowledges that not everyone can afford to pursue justice through the court system, so being able to share her story and support other women is enough justice for her.