Hestia aims to reach 5,000 Safe Spaces by end of year – as someone seeks refuge in a bank or pharmacy every day

Crisis support charity, Hestia has today called for more community-based organisations to join its Safe Spaces scheme to reach 5,000 locations by the end of the year, as the charity and TSB find over two thirds (68%) of polling respondents are unaware of domestic abuse help available on the high street.

Currently, there are 4,283 Safe Spaces across the UK, with pharmacies accounting for 60% of the network and banks 40%.

Safe Spaces provide secure and discreet refuge for those seeking to escape an abuser and access support and signposting. 

Locations across the UK are in addition to Safe Spaces online, which ensure people can find services discreetly if they are unable to visit a physical location.

Hestia data shows someone accessed a Safe Space in a pharmacy or bank every day last year. Accompanying polling by Hestia and TSB polling shows almost a third (28%) of respondents know someone who has sought help related to domestic abuse. 

A quarter of women (25%) and almost a fifth (19%) of men reported having experienced domestic or economic abuse. Official figures from the ONS reveal that approximately one in four (25.8%) people experience domestic abuse in their lifetime,

During No More Week, Hestia, backed by participating pharmacies and banks is raising awareness of this vital schem, as the charity and TSB finds over nine in 10 (92%) are unaware that some banks offer Safe Spaces, and almost four fifths (79%) are unaware that some pharmacies offer the scheme. And almost six in 10 (57%) had not heard of Safe Spaces at all.

Domestic abuse can lead to serious physical and mental harm, and in the worst cases, loss of life.

Of those (22%) who had experienced abuse – three quarters (76%) said it had impacted them financially. Debt (52%), Lacking money confidence (36%), Poverty (33%), and Credit rating, (31%) were the most common issues faced.

The banks and pharmacies offering the scheme have specially trained colleagues able to provide victim-survivors with access to private spaces where they can make confidential phone calls to helplines, or friends and family members.

Patrick Ryan, Chief Executive, Hestia, told That's Health: "Safe Spaces is a powerful example of what can be achieved when the charity and business sector come together to find innovative solutions for societal problems. 

"We launched Safe Spaces during the pandemic, and it continues to grow and be used every day by people experiencing domestic abuse.

“The impact is life-changing, and in some cases lifesaving. We are hugely grateful to our many partners including TSB who are the backbone of this vital support on the high street, and we urge other community-based organisations to come forward and join the scheme to ensure we can reach everyone who needs us.”

Kate Osiadacz, Head of Responsible Business, TSB, said: “We’ve seen first-hand the life-changing impact that Safe Spaces in branch, and online can have, in helping people escape an abusive and dangerous situation.

“With an alarming rate of domestic and economic abuse across the UK, we would encourage all relevant businesses to use their resources to provide what can be vital refuge and routes to safety.”

https://www.hestia.org

New national campaign encourages victim-survivors of domestic abuse to make use of ‘Safe Spaces’ this winter

Crisis support charity, Hestia, has launched a new national billboard campaign, made possible thanks to the JCDecaux Community Channel, highlighting the different forms of domestic abuse and how risk can escalate gradually over time. 

The campaign is backed by high street banks and pharmacies including: AIB (NI), Boots, Cooperative Bank, Medicare, Metro Bank, Morrisons, Nationwide, NatWest, Progressive Building Society, Royal Bank of Scotland, Santander, TSB, Ulster Bank and more. 

It aims to raise awareness of the thousands of designated Safe Spaces in their high street branches for victim-survivors of domestic abuse. Charities and police forces often report an increase in domestic abuse incidents over the winter months, as conditions surrounding the holidays, such as heightened alcohol consumption, financial stress and tensions due to family gatherings, can create an environment where abuse is more likely to occur.

This makes it even more crucial that victim-survivors know where to seek help safely. Some banks participating in the Safe Spaces scheme have also noted an increase in usage of Safe Spaces during winter months.

The powerful, impactful campaign is appearing on billboards and on high streets in key cities across the UK (including London, Birmingham, Edinburgh and Manchester). The campaign was created and produced by Toaster, an international creative agency with an HQ in London.

The Safe Spaces scheme, originally launched by Hestia during the pandemic as part of its UK Says No More campaign, can be accessed by asking a member of staff at a participating location to use their Safe Space. 

Victim-survivors are then shown to a private room equipped with a phone or tablet, providing a safe and discreet way to reach out to friends and family, contact specialist support services and start their journey to recovery. Visit www.hestia.org/safe to find your nearest Safe Space.

Patrick Ryan, Chief Executive at Hestia told That's Health: “Winter can be a particularly dangerous time for those experiencing domestic abuse. More time at home, financial pressures, and higher alcohol consumption can increase isolation and risk, while access to support services may be limited".

“That’s why Hestia is launching this campaign to promote Safe Spaces, places where anyone feeling unsafe can escape, and find the support they need. Everyone deserves to be safe; no one should suffer in silence.”

Chris Dooley, Head of Responsible Media at JCDecaux UK, said: “At a time of year when the risk of domestic abuse can quietly escalate, we are proud to use the power of our public screens nationwide to help Hestia shine a light on Safe Spaces and signpost people to confidential, life-changing support.”

Louise, a survivor of domestic abuse, said: “In winter, offices close and clubs and community centres take a break. For victims of abuse, this brings isolation... It means there is no break from the abuse. As the victim, you are more helpless now than ever, your life more at risk. 

"You can't see a way out, especially when your every move is being monitored. “With Safe Spaces, you are not alone. You have the opportunity to reach out, put together an escape plan and find refuge... all while visiting something unassuming like a bank or a pharmacy. Safe Spaces could be lifesaving”.