Major UK pharmacy, Boots and alongside independents have teamed up with the government to launch a scheme to support victims of domestic abuse in their stores.
Since the first lockdown last Spring, domestic abuse has risen in the UK – a report published by MPs confirms that within the first 21 days, domestic killings doubled than their average period in the past decade.
The scheme which is being introduced from Thursday allows individuals who are trapped at home with their abusive partners to subtly ask for help. If someone asks a member of staff for ANI (which stands for Action Needed Immediately) – a trained worker will then offer the person a private space where they support them to contact domestic abuse services or the police.
Chief Executive of the National Pharmacy Association, Mark Lyonette said “Community pharmacies are about people not just pills. There is a clear and urgent need to support victims of abuse and we want to play our part”.
