A Leicester-based charity that works to help women who are recovering from the trauma of childhood sexual abuse is launching a new self-help website, in the wake of Covid-19 and in celebration of its 31st Birthday.
Their refreshed website has been funded through the Tampon Tax fund and the partnership between Comic Relief and the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport (DCMS) and is designed to be more user-friendly and responsive. The site has been redesigned in a way that enables women to get advice and support, refer themselves to free counselling services and to also download the brand-new self-help package. These free resources are filled with useful information for anyone that has experienced childhood sexual abuse or is supporting a friend or loved one that has.
Designed by Leicester Web, a Leicester-based website development company, the new site features a modern approach to site navigation. It aims to take the user on an “engaging journey, allowing them to scroll effortlessly and with confidence through the different pages of the website, clicking on symbols/icons when prompted.” There is also an improved online chat feature making it easier for women to engage with Quetzal online.
Quetzal’s Chief Executive Officer, Hollie Venn explains the need to relaunch the website: “In the wake of the Covid crisis we are developing and expanding our services to meet increased demand and are determined to reach out to more women needing support in Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland. The new site and self-help guide will help us be there for them as soon as they need us and to highlight the wide variety of work we do.” Quetzal’s Clinical Lead, Shabnum Popat added: “The new website is a key element in the modernisation and development of Quetzal as a whole, the new resources will be really valuable to women dealing with the impacts of childhood sexual abuse in their day-to-day lives, particularly those who may not feel ready to engage with our counselling services.”
The new website and self-help guide are part of a wider project which Quetzal will continue to develop over the next two years, thanks to Comic Relief and DMCS funding. The Breaking the Silence initiative aims to raise awareness of childhood sexual abuse and the benefits of counselling, particularly in the south Asian community of Leicester. More information about the Breaking the Silence project will also be available on the new website.
The website is planned to go live on 30th September this year and can be found at www.quetzal.org.uk
