A new Women’s Legal Service Queensland (WLSQ) website officially launched today will ensure over 50,000 visitors each year find vital information when they need it most.
The new site includes increased safety features such as a “quick exit” button, information on how to clear internet history, and a checklist of red flags associated with serious injury and death.
WLSQ CEO Angela Lynch said new safety features will help women stay safe online while accessing the information they need to escape violence.
“We know information is power and improving access to legal information for domestic and sexual violence survivors can be life changing.”
“These safety features are so important for keeping women and their children safe. If a perpetrator enters the room, clients can press the quick exit button which will open a new window displaying a neutral website. Knowing how to clear internet histories will help to increase the online safety of women.”
“The ability to identify red flags for serious injury and death will alert some women to the gravity of their situation so they can take steps to keep themselves and their children safe.”
A new online form will allow clients who mainly speak a language other than English, and those with difficulties speaking or hearing to request contact with the service through a translator.
WLSQ CEO Angela Lynch said that the new site is focused on making the service more accessible, particularly to vulnerable groups of women.
“Our clients, largely women experiencing domestic violence and their supporters use the website to gain life changing information – learning about how they can access our free legal and social work services, and about our self-help domestic violence and family law resources, “ Ms Lynch said.
The site includes easy to find and read updated information sheets on specific domestic violence and family law topics previous website data revealed were most visited.
The website re-design was made possible through a substantial grant by Hand Heart Pocket – an independent charity founded by the Freemasons of Queensland. In addition to the website upgrade project, Hand Heart Pocket’s contribution includes Rural and Regional training for community workers and funding of a major infrastructure upgrade to support the service’s work.
Ms Lynch says the service is thankful to Hand Heart Pocket for their support.
“We could not have managed this website redesign without the significant support of Hand Heart Pocket and we thank them immensely for their financial assistance that will improve access to information for domestic violence survivors about their legal rights in Queensland.”