Refuge’s new life-saving website wins Big Chip award

National domestic violence charity Refuge is celebrating after winning the prestigious ‘best not-for-profit internet site’ Big Chip award.

The site was praised for its comprehensiveness and compassion. The judges singled out Refuge as the winner of its category for its consistency of communication throughout the site, the comprehensive attention to detail and the thorough understanding of the sensitivity and needs of the target audience.

Launched in September 2004 by Sheryl Gascoigne, www.refuge.org.uk was designed by Manchester-based Code Computer Love and funded by a year long campaign with The Body Shop.

Lisa King, Refuge Director of Communications, who picked up the award at the glittering ceremony on Thursday 24th February said: "Domestic violence is a major social issue that kills two women a week in England and Wales. Refuge is thrilled that the hard work put into building this website has been recognised and that women and children can now access vital information safely and privately."

Code Computer Love managing director, Tony Foggett, added: "The internet is the perfect medium for charities like Refuge that want to offer discreet and unobtrusive advice. Our key objective when developing the site was to ensure that it should be a definitive source of information on domestic violence, but that this should be achieved with appropriate sensitivity to visitors’ needs. The Big Chip award is further recognition that the site successfully meets this criteria and that www.refuge.org.uk is an invaluable tool for anyone experiencing, or coming into contact with, domestic violence.