Close
Customer Announcement
Due to the upcoming bank holidays, from Friday 29 March to Monday 1 April we will be closed except for emergency repairs.
Close
22 February 2021

Protection from domestic abuse

How to get help and advice if you or someone you know may be experiencing domestic abuse
LiveWest logo.

Life during the coronavirus pandemic has been hard for most of us, especially when we have had to stay at home. However, some of our customers have found themselves in circumstances where they are in lockdown with someone who is harming them. 

Since March 2020 there has been a rise in reported cases of domestic abuse across the country and latest reports show that it’s still increasing.  

What we’re doing to support domestic abuse victims 
We are encouraging our colleagues who visit customers to look for any signs of abuse and aim to put support measures in place before the situation worsens or becomes a safeguarding concern. 

Case study
Mr X was recently granted a 'live with' order for his two young children to live with him in his one bed flat. His ex-partner attended his property a few times and was abusive, aggressive and threatening to him. The police attended and his ex-partner was arrested and charged.  

Our safeguarding team confirmed there was a safeguarding risk for the children, and that Mr X was the victim of domestic abuse, so should receive additional support from the police. A referral was made to the local domestic abuse service, enabling a quicker move to a more appropriately sized home for his family.  

With our help a safeguarding referral to the local authority was accepted and the Early Help team got involved to offer Mr X the support he needed.  This was particularly welcomed by him as he had not thought that as a male victim of domestic abuse that help would be available, this is often a common myth and domestic abuse impacts everyone and help can be sought. 

Ask for ANI
On 14 January the Government launched the ‘Ask for ANI’ scheme, giving those suffering from domestic abuse a discreet codeword they can use to signal that they need help. The scheme is being rolled out to pharmacies across the UK.  

If a customer asks for ‘ANI’ then a trained pharmacy worker will offer a private space where they can help the victim access support from the police or other support services, such as a national or local domestic abuse helplines. 

You can use our Solve an issue tool to find out how we can help you or someone you know with support with escaping domestic abuse.  

For further information and guidance about how you can protect yourself or someone you know from domestic abuse during lockdown click here.