LOCKDOWN LEADER: Boots
The high street pharmacist Boots the chemist has launched a safe space campaign across its 2,400 UK stores for victims of domestic abuse. From the 1st May, people suffering from domestic abuse will be given private rooms, with no questions asked, where they can contact domestic abuse services and receive free and confidential advice and support. Posters and little shelf cards alerting survivors to the scheme will be placed in stores, while Boots staff will be given information on recognising potential victims. Fellow pharmacies are also being encouraged to take up the same initiative.
The campaign, headed by charity Hestia’s UK SAYS NO MORE scheme in the face of statistics that reports of domestic abuse have increased by almost 50 per cent during the lockdown. Meanwhile, Hestia has seen a 47 per cent rise in victims using its free domestic abuse support app, Bright Sky. And while one in four women and one in six men report domestic abuse, the charity thinks those numbers will be actually much higher during lockdown.
Said Lyndsey Dearlove, Head of UK SAYS NO MORE, “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. We hope more pharmacies will follow Boots UKs lead and join the Safe Space initiative. Although we are in a period of lockdown and isolation, our message to victims is domestic abuse services are open and we can help you.”
Added Marc Donovan, Chief Pharmacist Boots UK, “Our pharmacies have long been a place where people can turn to for help and advice on their local high street. 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. This is something our pharmacy teams feel very passionately about, and would like to thank them for stepping forward to help at a time when they are under tremendous pressure.”
The in-store consultation rooms will allow victims access to:
24-hour National domestic abuse helpline 0808 2000 247
Men’s advice line for male victims of domestic abuse and those supporting them: 0808 801 0327
Scotland - Domestic Abuse & Forced Marriage Helpline (freephone 24/7): 0800 027 123
Wales - Live Fear Free Helpline (freephone 24/7): 0808 801 0800
Northern Ireland - Domestic & Sexual Abuse: 0808 802 141
The National LGBT+ Domestic Abuse specialist helpline: 0800 999 5428
Advice on downloading free mobile app Bright Sky