A Webflow website rebuild for a Canberra-based domestic violence support service, built to give the organisation control of their own site and their visitors a safer, clearer experience.
Domestic Violence Crisis Service (DVCS) is a Canberra-based not-for-profit supporting people affected by domestic violence. Their existing WordPress site was managed by an external agency, leaving DVCS without control over their hosting, content, or updates. The brief was to rebuild on a platform the team could actually manage, while modernising the design and improving the experience for people arriving in difficult circumstances.
What needed to be built:
Every decision was shaped by the people who would need this site most.
Websites like this one are not just information pages. For some people, they are the first quiet step toward something safer.
Every decision about layout, language, and navigation has a real person behind it, and so much care and consideration has gone into every step to ensure people can get the help they need.
People with disabilities experience domestic violence at a disproportionate rate, which made WCAG 2.2 compliance non-negotiable. The site meets standards for colour contrast, keyboard navigation, screen reader compatibility, and font sizing. An accessibility statement is published on the site.
A privacy statement covers what information is collected, how it is handled, and what to expect when reaching out for support. The quick exit feature adds a practical layer of protection, though private browsing remains the recommended approach for anyone who needs full history protection.
Every content decision was made with the understanding that visitors may be frightened or not yet ready to act. Language was chosen to reduce pressure rather than add to it, avoiding assumptions about what someone should do.
DVCS now has full ownership of their website for the first time. The team can update content independently, without going through an external agency. The site has been well received internally, and work has continued since launch to improve the safety features and maintain WCAG 2.2 compliance.
Organisations that serve people in difficult situations need websites that are clear, calm, and accessible to everyone. Let's make sure yours is up to the job.
