Council supports Safe Spaces and Ask for ANI initiatives in the East Riding

East Riding of Yorkshire Council is supporting the national Safe Spaces and Ask for ANI initiatives for victims of domestic abuse.

Hestia’s UK SAYS NO MORE Safe Spaces campaign provides somewhere for anyone experiencing domestic abuse to safely call a helpline, support service or loved one.

Hestia is one of the largest providers of domestic abuse refuges in London and the Southeast 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. In 2020, Hestia celebrated 50 years of providing support to those in crisis by providing safehouses, refuge accommodation and support.

Safe Spaces was developed as an initiative of the UK SAYS NO MORE campaign in response to the challenges faced by people experiencing domestic abuse during the COVID-19 lockdown and their inability to access specialist support services.

It was first launched in 2020 and is now available in over 6,000 pharmacies and banks across the UK. Safe Spaces operates alongside the Home Office Ask for ANI scheme, whereby people can ask for ‘ANI’ at pharmacy healthcare counters to access an immediate police response. Safe Spaces is supported by the players of People’s Postcode Lottery Recovery fund.

How to access a Safe Space

• Walk into any participating safe space in the UK
• Ask a member of staff at the counter to use their safe space
• You will be shown to the Safe Space which will be a private room
• Once inside you can use the safe space in whichever way works for you. They provide a safe and discrete way to reach out to friends and family, contact specialist support services and start your journey to recovery.

Find your nearest Safe Space here: https://uksaysnomore.org/safespaces/

The council has also joined forces with Humber NHS Foundation Trust, City Health Care Partnership and Humberside Police to support this year's Domestic Abuse Awareness Month in October.

The combined approach is to raise awareness of domestic abuse and the various forms it comes in, with a focus this year in the East Riding on coercive control, domestic abuse in rural communities, diversity and children affected by domestic abuse.

Cllr David Elvidge, portfolio holder for community empowerment and voluntary sector at East Riding of Yorkshire Council, said: “The Safe Spaces and Ask for ANI initiatives are hugely important initiatives which give victims of domestic abuse a safe space to get the support they need. These initiatives were launched during the pandemic but it is fantastic to see them continuing on and seeing so many pharmacies and banks across the East Riding taking part.

"These initiatives, alongside the Domestic Abuse Awareness Month currently happening, are a great way of raising awareness of what is an incredibly important subject and also to make sure victims know support is available to them through many different platforms."

Domestic Violence and Abuse Partnership (DVAP)

The East Riding Domestic Violence and Abuse Partnership (DVAP) provides support for all victims of domestic abuse regardless of age, gender, or sexuality. Their Prevention of Domestic Abuse Service (PODAS) help individuals struggling with their behaviour in their personal relationships, that may be or are at risk of being abusive.

Self-referrals (calling about your own situation) can be made by calling 01482 396368 or completing the online referral form. Professionals need to complete the online referral and DASH risk assessment then email to opsdvap@eastriding.gov.uk. DVAP provides consent-based support for victims of domestic abuse, where information will only be shared with consent, unless there are concerns about risk of harm to children or serious criminal offences being committed.

The team will work with you so that you don’t face domestic abuse alone and to help make the situation safer for you.

If you need immediate support in an emergency or are concerned for your own or someone else’s immediate safety, please always ring the Police on 999.

Alternatively, you can ring the Police for a non-emergency on 101.

The DVAP Website Options Advisor also provides safety information which is available on their website 24 hours a day.