How can I set up a confidential email advice system?

Asked by tirithalui (408

) November 18th, 2009

At my university I’m a committee member of the LGBT society, and I had an idea of creating an email service whereby students can send a message confidentially to members of the committee to ask for advice with a personal problem.

We’re very approachable if someone wants some advice in person but I think some people might like to be anonymous or for it to just be more private, and email (or some equivalent system) seems like a good way to do that.

Should I set up an ‘agony aunt’ email address? How do I get past people not wanting their email addresses and therefore their names being visible?

Any ideas would be great! Thanks!

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1 Answer

set up a website with an email form, the user is asked for an alias and the details of their problem.

after they press send it says “your message was sent, please take note of your serial number to be able to receive replies, your number is (number:#000–0XXXX)”

then, on the main page of the site, there is a box that asks for the secret serial number, when they type in their number they are taken to a place where they are shown in private their advice.

you will need:

a domain name, a basic hosting package that supports php and mysql, a little javascript and some html and css to put it together.

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