Boots pharmacies to create 'safe space' for domestic abuse victims seeking help

Safe spaces will be installed in Boots consultation rooms from Friday where survivors can contact domestic abuse support services, the charity Hestia said.

Reports of domestic abuse sent to UK police forces by Crimestoppers have surged by nearly 50% during the lockdown, while Hestia has seen a 47% rise in victims using its free domestic abuse support app Bright Sky.

One woman, who lived in a Hestia refuge after surviving domestic abuse, said "being able to contact a domestic violence helpline in this way will be life-changing for many".

Lyndsey Dearlove, head of UK Says No More at Hestia, said: "Whilst lockdown and social distancing measures continue, it is restricting victims of domestic abuse reaching out to their friends, family and co-workers for support.

"We know there is an increased level of uncertainty for people looking to escape an abusive relationship.

"Self-isolation offers a new method of control over victims, making it very difficult for them to seek support.

"We recognise that key workers in pharmacies hold a unique position within the community as a single point of contact for victims.

"By creating this safe space in Boots pharmacies, we hope many will be able to safely access support whilst following Government guidelines."

Posters and small shelf cards telling people a safe space for domestic abuse support is available will be placed around the 2,400 UK stores.

From Friday, anyone will be able to ask a pharmacist if they can use a consultation room, with no questions asked.

Boots staff will also be given information on how to recognise potential victims.

It comes after the Victim's Commissioner Dame Vera Baird called for more creative thinking on how to help victims during the lockdown.

She previously told the Home Affairs Committee that the Government must adapt by providing a "system of rescue" in the places where victims will frequent during the Covid-19 outbreak, such as supermarkets and pharmacies.

Marc Donovan, Boots UK chief pharmacist, said: "At times like these, our 2,400 stores in communities across the UK take on increased importance, as a place of safety for those who need one.

"We hope that making our consultation rooms safe spaces we can help people find the support they need at this difficult time, when many other options are temporarily unavailable."

Other pharmacies are being encouraged to join the initiative.

President of the Royal Pharmaceutical Society (RPS), Sandra Gidley, said: "During the pandemic, when options for survivors/victims are even more limited than usual, pharmacies can provide the safe environment needed to get support.

"The trust that the public have in pharmacies make them an ideal place to access help and take a step away from harm towards a better future.

"The RPS fully supports the UK Says No More campaign and would encourage other pharmacies to take part and become a safe space for those experiencing domestic abuse."

A message from the Editorial Director, Gillian Parkinson:

Thank you for reading this story on our website.

But I also have an urgent plea to make of you.

In order for us to continue to provide high quality local news on this free-to-read site and in print, please purchase a copy of our newspaper as well.

With the coronavirus lockdown having a major impact on our town centres and many of our valued advertisers - and consequently the advertising that we receive - we are more reliant than ever on you buying a copy when you pop out for your essential shop or subscribing for delivery.

Our journalists are highly trained by the National Council for the Training of Journalists (NCTJ) and our content is independently regulated by IPSO to some of the most rigorous standards anywhere in the world. Our content is universally trusted - as all independent research proves.

As Baroness Barran said in a House of Lords debate this week on the importance of journalists: "Not only are they a trusted source of facts, but they will have a role to play in rallying communities and getting the message across about how we can keep ourselves and our families safe, and protect our NHS. Undoubtedly, they have a critical role."

But being your eyes and ears comes at a price. So we need your support more than ever to buy our newspapers during this crisis. In return we will continue to forensically cover the local news - not only the impact of the virus but all the positive and uplifting news happening in these dark days.

We thank all our readers and advertisers for their understanding and support - and we wish YOU all the best in the coming weeks. Keep safe, and follow the Government advice. Thank you.

HOW TO SUBSCRIBE:

You can subscribe for delivery by contacting us at [email protected] or calling us on 0330 4033004 for details of a participating newsagent near you.