What are Safe Spaces?

If you are experiencing domestic abuse, it can be isolating and difficult to find support or think about your options. That is why Safe Spaces were created.

Safe Spaces are confidential, private and safe rooms for survivors who are experiencing domestic abuse and sexual violence, where they can access resources for support, a phone to contact a relative or agency for support and plan their next move. The scheme is facilitated in pharmacies, which were able to remain open during lockdown, and banks. There are now over 100 Safe Spaces across Scotland, and 6,000 across the UK.

Safe Spaces can be found in Boots UK, Morrisons, Superdrug and Well pharmacies, HSBC, TSB banks and independent pharmacies across the UK. These locations provide Safe Spaces in their consultation rooms for people experiencing domestic abuse. You can use a Safe Space in whichever way works for you. They provide a safe and discreet way to reach out to friends and family, contact specialist support services and start your journey to recovery.

How to access a Safe Space

Step One: Walk into any participating Safe Space in the UK

Step Two: Ask a member of staff at the counter to use their Safe Space

Step Three: You will be shown to the Safe Space which will be a private room

Step Four: Once inside you can use the Safe Space in whichever way works for you. They provide a safe and discreet way to reach out to friends and family, contact specialist support services and start your journey to recovery.

UK Says No More’s Safe Spaces are open and ready for you to use.

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Find your nearest Safe Space by clicking here.

Online Safe Spaces

‘Online Safe Spaces’ is a discreet portal that opens in a pop-up window, which can be installed on both internal and external websites. The service provides support, advice and helpful contact numbers for those at risk of domestic abuse. It leaves no internet history trace, and provides quick exit options for the person seeking information.

Online Safe Spaces provides a host of helpful links and information, including; when to dial 999, national helplines, local support groups and further useful links. It also includes a questionnaire to determine the participant’s risk of domestic abuse.

COMING SOON – Click on the Online Safe Space icon at the bottom of this page to access the portal.

If you would like to add an Online Safe Space banner to your website for free please get in touch.

Partnership

A new partnership between Scotland, Wales and England has formed to increase the pathways for survivors of domestic abuse to access specialist support. The partnership, led by Hestia’s UK SAYS NO MORE campaign, is working with Scottish Women’s Aid and Cardiff Women’s Aid to coordinate more designated Safe Spaces for survivors in pharmacies, banks and businesses across the nations.

This project is funded by support received from players of the People’s Postcode Lottery and funding from the Postcode Innovation Trust.

About UK Says No More

UK Says No More is a national campaign focused on raising awareness of and preventing domestic abuse and sexual violence.

The campaign is facilitated by Hestia and delivered in partnership with over 400 organisations, charities, community groups and Parliamentarian Champions across the UK, who are all working together to bring an end to domestic abuse and sexual violence.

UK Says No More unites and strengthen a diverse community of members of the public and organisations nationwide to actively take a stand against domestic abuse and sexual violence under one powerful, visual symbol.

The campaign provides open-source tools and resources for individuals and organisations to take action and get involved in ending domestic abuse and sexual violence. Together we are challenging the myths and misconceptions around these issues, sharing resources and information, and ultimately working together to make real positive change.

About Hestia

Hestia is one of the largest providers of domestic abuse refuges in London and the South East and is the main organisation supporting victims of modern slavery in the capital. It is the home of domestic abuse and sexual violence campaign UK SAYS NO MORE and developed the Bright Sky domestic abuse app in partnership with Vodafone. Hestia has been providing support to those in crisis through safehouses, refuge accommodation and support.

About Cardiff Women's Aid

Cardiff Women’s Aid provides support, advocacy and aftercare services to women and girls who have experienced domestic violence and sexual abuse. Founded in 1974, the Cardiff branch is one of the original Women’s Aid branches in Wales and supports on average up to 11,000 women and girls annually from the Cardiff and Vale areas.

About People's Postcode Lottery Fund

People’s Postcode Lottery Recovery Fund is supported by Postcode Innovation Trust, a grant giving body, funded entirely by players of People’s Postcode Lottery to fund charities delivering highly innovative, impactful, and engaging projects across Britain and further afield. The Postcode Recovery Fund has been created to support charities to develop innovative solutions that address the many issues affecting people as society recovers from the effects of the pandemic.