Designing across the full spectrum of domestic violence

In 2022, Marie-Christine Dion and I presented a conference at the Web à Québec (WAQ) focused on the role of design in projects connected to domestic violence. The talk drew directly from our shared experience on these projects.

The central argument was this: when design serves a vulnerable audience, the usual hierarchy of goals shifts. Aesthetics, engagement, and conversion still matter, but they become secondary to safety, clarity, and trust. A poorly designed interaction in this context is not just a bad user experience. It can have real consequences.

We walked through the design decisions made on several of these projects, showing what happens when you apply that lens consistently. The conference also introduced CARO, a framework we built from this body of work. CARO stands for four design principles for high-stakes human contexts: welcome (Accueillir), contextualize (Contextualiser), reassure (Rassurer), and equip (Outiller). It has since informed how both of us approach similar projects.

SOS Violence Conjugale is Quebec's primary domestic violence helpline and resource platform. The project was a full redesign of a site used by people actively living in, escaping, or recovering from abusive relationships.

The design constraints were significant. Every element had to reduce friction, not add it. Navigation had to be instantly readable under stress. The quick-exit button had to be visible at all times without being intrusive. The content architecture had to serve multiple profiles simultaneously: someone in immediate danger, someone unsure if what they are experiencing is violence, a family member looking for guidance.

This project set the foundation for how I approach all high-stakes UX work. When the user's context is compromised, the design has to carry more of the load.

Prends l'air is the counterpart none of the other projects have. Built for À coeur d'homme, an association of 31 Quebec community organizations, it is aimed at men engaging in violent behaviors, not the people they are harming.

This completely inverted the design challenge. The user is not in danger. They may not even identify as a problem. The platform had to create a space for self-reflection without triggering defensiveness, and do it in a tone that felt familiar and non-judgmental.

The design choices were deliberate. A nature and camping aesthetic was chosen to evoke calm, familiarity, and a sense of space away from daily life. The emotional journey was structured in 3 stages mapped to natural landmarks:

Users chose a trusted companion character to guide the conversation, each with a distinct voice and tone. Sound design was used to deepen the sense of retreat and openness.

A sharing tool allowed close ones to introduce the platform to someone in their lives, with psychologist-written messages designed to approach the situation without friction or judgment.

LAFU (Ligne d'aide financière d'urgence) is a financial emergency helpline run by SOS Violence Conjugale. The site exists for one purpose: to help frontline workers understand what the service covers and how to request it on behalf of a victim.

This is not a showcase project. The design had to be fast, clear, and functional. No ambiguity, no navigation complexity. The audience, social workers and emergency responders, does not have time to figure things out.

What LAFU represents in this collection is the less visible layer of the support ecosystem: the infrastructure behind the scenes that makes it possible for victims to get financial help to leave a dangerous situation, access temporary housing, or reach safety.

Maison Simonne-Monet-Chartrand (Maison SMC) is a shelter and support organization for women and children affected by domestic violence. The project was a redesign of their digital presence, with a dual mandate: communicate the organization's values clearly to funders and partners, while remaining immediately usable by people seeking help in a crisis.

The challenge was tonal as much as structural. The site had to feel safe and welcoming without being clinical. It had to surface the right information quickly without overwhelming someone in a fragile state. And it had to reflect the organization's humanity without making the design itself feel heavy.