ASHEBORO—The Invictus Project, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit focused on ending child sexual exploitation and trafficking, has entered into a strategic partnership with Proxyware, a digital safety technology company, to strengthen protections for children online in North Carolina.
Proxyware brings AI‑driven tools that use synthetic, hyper‑realistic personas to detect predatory behavior. These tools will be used in combination with The Invictus Project’s existing work with law enforcement to proactively identify threats before they reach children.
In addition to work disrupting digital predation, the partnership will also monitor compliance with adult content age‑verification laws in the state. The reasoning is that early exposure to inappropriate or adult content correlates with elevated risk for depression, anxiety, body image issues, and potentially greater vulnerability to exploitation.
Ray Dawson, CEO of The Invictus Project, emphasized that combining technology with advocacy and community resources is essential: “Partnering with Proxyware brings cutting‑edge technology to this fight, enabling us to proactively detect threats and prevent harm from reaching children.” Sarah Ralston, Proxyware’s Chief Product Officer, added that this alliance sets a new standard for how technology and advocacy can work together. “We are proud to partner with The Invictus Project, an organization deeply committed to protecting children,” said Ralston. “Together, we’re creating an unprecedented defense system for North Carolina’s youth and speaks to what can be achieved when technology and dedicated advocacy unite.”
The collaboration will also offer free educational materials to parents, mentors, and educators. These resources include guides to recognizing online risk, conversation‑starters, and tips on building family tech agreements. They are designed for sharing in schools, community centers, and similar venues to help build awareness and resilience against exploitation.
