Safe Browsing
Mayor of London candidate Sadiq Khan has visited a UK SAYS NO MORE Safe Space in a Superdrug pharmacy to learn more about how the scheme supports victims of domestic abuse.
Sadiq Khan was joined by Chief Executive of Hestia Patrick Ryan, Hestia’s Director of Communications and Fundraising Jo Tilley-Riley and Superdrug key workers at the Upton Park branch of the store.
Superdrug pharmacist Shakila Islam spoke about his personal experience of helping a victim of domestic abuse to access the Safe Space, highlighting the vital need for the service throughout the pandemic.
Safe Spaces
Safe Spaces were opened in pharmacies across the country, including all Superdrug, Morrisons and Boots pharmacies, in May 2020 following a worrying rise in domestic abuse during Covid lockdown.
During the pandemic, it has been harder for victims of domestic abuse to seek help as they have been cut off from support networks. Pharmacies, one of the few amenities open through lockdowns, have been in a prime position to respond to domestic abuse and offer somewhere safe for victims to call a support service or loved one.
Patrick Ryan, Chief Executive at Hestia said:
“Right now, there are victims who have been trapped at home with their abusers for over a year, unable to access support. That is why in partnership with over 5,300 pharmacies, including Superdrug, we launched Safe Spaces to ensure victims of domestic abuse can access vital support. Providing additional refuge spaces and helping more people access Safe Spaces has never been more important.
There are now more than 5,000 Safe Spaces across the UK, including in all 200 Superdrug pharmacies. Anyone experiencing domestic abuse can ask at the healthcare counter to use the Safe Space; they will then be shown to the pharmacy consultation room and presented with information on national helplines and the Bright Sky app, which they can use to find local support services.
