Over 1,000 pharmacies to offer Safe Spaces for domestic abuse victims

Recent reports indicate that 2.1 million adults in England and Wales experienced domestic abuse in the year ending March 2023

In observance of the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence, the PDA NAWP Network is urging pharmacy employers to adopt the Safe Spaces scheme, which offers people experiencing domestic abuse a safe space to reach out for support.

The annual campaign, which runs from 25 November (International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women) to December 10 (Human Rights Day), focuses on ending violence against women and girls.

UK SAYS NO MORE, a national campaign to end domestic abuse, is working with pharmacies across the UK to introduce Safe Spaces in their consultation rooms to provide “a safe and discreet way for victims of domestic violence to contact friends and family and specialist support services.”

The scheme replaces the 'Ask for ANI' codeword, shifting to a self-service model where the role of the pharmacy staff is only to provide a quiet and private space.

Over 1,000 pharmacies, including Boots, Morrisons, Superdrug, and independent pharmacies, have already signed up to take part in the scheme.

Lourette Latif Philips, president of the PDA NAWP Network, emphasised that pharmacists and their teams are ideally placed at the frontline of healthcare to offer this vital support.

“The Safe Spaces scheme is not just for patients but also for employees too, as anyone can be affected by domestic abuse,” she said, urging all pharmacies and other companies to join the scheme and ensure their teams are trained to provide support.

Recent reports indicate that 2.1 million adults in England and Wales were victims of domestic abuse in the year ending March 2023. Women, particularly disabled women, and minority groups are more vulnerable to domestic abuse.

The 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence campaign calls for actions to:

• End impunity by advocating for and establishing laws and policies that hold perpetrators accountable.
• Adopt, implement and fund National Action Plans to end gender-based violence.
• Invest in solutions to prevent such violence.

The PDA urges all pharmacy employers to take action against gender-based violence by adopting the scheme.