Domestic violence or abuse can happen to anyone

Find out how to recognise the signs and where to get help click here

Stay Safe Campaigns - for those suffering domestic abuse or out alone and feeling threatened.

The Organisational Effectiveness & Improvement Group (OEIG) discussed the issue of domestic abuse at one of their meetings and wanted to share with you the ways that people suffering from domestic abuse or who are out and may be feeling threatened can safeguard themselves and ask for help in a discreet way. Please share these ideas with your family and friends.

1. Emergency SOS
If you press your lock button five times in a row, your Iphone emits a loud siren, counts down to 3, then calls emergency services and sends a text to your emergency contacts alerting them of the situation and your location. Search ‘Emergency SOS’ in your phone to set it up.

2. WhatsApp – how to share your location
If you go into WhatsApp, you can share your live location with other people for 15 mins, 1 hour, 8 hours… it’s very easy – go to send a message, tap the paperclip and choose share location. The person you send the message to will receive a message letting them know why you are sharing it.

3. Ask for Ani - Codeword scheme to offer lifeline to domestic abuse victims (Independent pharmacies and Boots)
The 'Ask for ANI' scheme allows those at risk or suffering from abuse to discreetly signal that they need help and access support.  By 'asking for ANI', a trained pharmacy worker will offer a private space where they can understand if the victim needs to speak to the police or would like help to access to support services such as national or local domestic abuse helplines.
As an essential retailer based on high streets across the country, and with specifically trained staff, pharmacies can provide a safe space for victims to sound an alarm if they are isolated at home with their abuser and unable to get help in another way.

4. Ask for Angela
When an establishment uses this program, a person who believes themselves to be in danger can 'Ask for Angela', a fictitious member of the staff.  The staff will then help the person get home discreetly and safely by either escorting them to a different room, calling them a taxi and escorting them to it, or by asking the other party member to leave the establishment.

5. The Violence at home signal for help