MSD Family Violence Websites
Ministry of Social Development Family Violence Websites
Somar Digital is the web development partner of the Ministry of Social Development’s Help Portal and Social Actions teams.
In collaboration with design partner Dentsu Creative Aotearoa, we have worked with MSD to develop a range of websites and tools that provide critical information and support on issues related to family violence in New Zealand.
Purpose of this partnership
The suite of digital products that this partnership has produced provide online spaces for people impacted by family violence, and those who are worried that their actions are causing harm to others but want to make positive change. While there are similarities in terms of content and technology across the products, each has a clear purpose and target audience, as determined by MSD. Somar Digital and Dentsu Creative worked closely with MSD to make sure that each product delivered met the purpose and goals of each project.
Collaboration
The success of these projects was contingent on the collaboration between MSD, Somar Digital and Dentsu Creative. This is a highly complex series of work across multiple projects with strict budgetary requirements, and requires a high level of engagement and communication between all teams involved. MSD led all projects with Dentsu providing design services, and Somar Digital providing development expertise.
In Your Hands
In Your Hands is a website aimed at men who are concerned about their behaviour and how it impacts their loved ones, and who want to find ways to make a change.
One of the challenges of developing the site was incorporating a large variety of design elements — such as content block types and micro animations — while adhering to accessibility and user experience (UX) standards. The site is content heavy featuring videos, images, downloadable content and the development team at Somar Digital had to make sure that not only is the content accessible to all users, but that the UX is seamless.
Are You Ok
The purpose of the Are You OK website is to provide easy access and relevant information for people seeking support for family violence in NZ. Those worried about safety in their relationship or their supporters can understand their situation better and find pathways to immediate help.
A unique feature that is built into the site is the Check it Out tool. People can answer a series of questions that help them determine whether a relationship is safe or unsafe. The Somar developers built the Check it Out tool as a widget that MSD content editors can easily add to multiple areas of the site.
Users of the site also have the option to switch between English and te reo Māori versions of the website. Somar built the site so that MSD can load content in both languages, and thoroughly tested the site to ensure that users can seamlessly switch between English and te reo Māori.
Change Is Possible
Change is Possible is a website that gives a space for men to help make change in their lives and their community. The content focuses on early intervention and features stories from kiwi men with topics that cover fatherhood, relationships, mental health and whānau.
As well as real-life stories from men, Change is Possible features relevant tools, resources and services for men interested in making positive change in their lives. The site also includes information about the Changemaker Fund — how to apply for funding for initiatives that promote positive forms of masculinity, challenge harmful gender norms, and engage men in healing.
Service Finder Tool
The Service Finder Tool addresses a serious need. Previously anyone searching for these critical services found the process inefficient and overwhelming as there were limited options online to easily find services of this nature. The Service Finder Tool solves this problem and makes it a whole lot easier for users to find services that are most relevant to their needs.
People can answer questions to help them find the relevant services or they can search for services based on keyword, provider and location. Also the Service Finder offers detailed filter options like wheelchair access, 24/7 availability, and multilingual services.
Outcomes
Engaging UX
We receive exceptional UI designs from Dentsu, and our development team ensures that the finished product functions according to user experience best practices and meets accessibility standards. This involves working closely day-to-day with Dentsu once development begins so that what we build is consistent with the designs and with the MSD’s vision for the site.
Accessibility
It was important that all of the sites met accessibility standards for users with vision and hearing impairments. Both MSD and Somar Digital thoroughly tested the sites using industry standard screen readers to ensure that all content on the sites is accessible to all users.
Reusable Assets
One of the technical challenges that Somar solved was building the Service Finder Tool in a way that it could be deployed across any of MSD’s websites. Currently it is active on both the Are You Ok and In Your Hands sites and is built to be reusable for any future web initiatives by MSD.
Continuous Iteration
One consistency across all the projects is continuous iteration based on user feedback. Somar Digital, Dentsu and MSD have planned quarterly sprints to update the site and make improvements. MSD engaged with Kantar to conduct research with relevant users to inform changes and product enhancements. In the case of Are You Ok, a key focus has been providing specific information and support for the disabled, pacific people and Takatāpui and Rainbow communities. Key parts of the site have been informed by indepth research in order to be relevant and helpful to these communities.