Ten years ago, we were tasked with creating a new website that would serve as a central hub for all sexual assault services across the Bristol and Bath area. The goal was ambitious: to build a single, trusted online space for people and families affected by rape and sexual abuse, as well as a reliable reference point for professionals seeking accurate signposting information.
The challenge went beyond simply designing a website. We needed to ensure the platform could sensitively support individuals during some of the most difficult moments of their lives, while also offering a clear, structured resource for practitioners. The site had to be accessible, discreet, easy to navigate, and designed with trauma‑informed principles at its core.
We began by engaging directly with local organisations, frontline professionals, and—most importantly—people with lived experience. Their insight shaped every aspect of the approach.
Our work focused on three key priorities:
Accessibility, mobile responsiveness, and safeguarding considerations were prioritised throughout
The website quickly became a trusted regional hub for support information, improving access to specialist services for people affected by sexual violence in Bristol and Bath. It also strengthened collaboration between professionals, who adopted it as a reliable and consistent signposting tool.
Originally initiated by SARSAS in Bristol and funded by NHS England, the site’s success led to significant growth. A few years after its launch, it expanded to cover the entire South West region, offering a unified and consistent online resource across a much wider geographic area.
More recently, the template has been adapted and replicated in other parts of the country:
These new rollouts demonstrate how the model can be effectively scaled to meet local needs while maintaining consistent, accessible support.
Looking ahead, we hope the template continues to expand across the UK, helping to protect, inform, and guide people affected by rape and sexual abuse, wherever they live. What began as a regional project has grown into a national framework with the potential to improve access to support for thousands more individuals and families.
Lisa Durston, Communications Manager, SARSAS
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