The Domestic Abuse Commissioner Nicole Jacobs, said: “I am delighted to see that TSB has signed up to this scheme and will now offer victims support in their high street branches.” Hestia’s safe spaces initiative was awarded over £652,000 by Postcode Innovation Trust, a grant-making trust funded by players of the People’s Postcode Lottery. People can find safe spaces located in various businesses at /safespaces. “For some, going into their local bank will be one of the few connections they have with the wider community and in partnership with Hestia we’ll be there to offer that support when they need it most.”
The support is available to both TSB customers and non-customers and adheres to current health and safety regulations, ensuring people can still visit safely, the bank said.Ĭarol Anderson, director of TSB’s branch network, said: “It’s clear during lockdown victims of domestic abuse have had fewer opportunities to seek help safely. Victims can use a private room to make telephone calls, speak to a trained staff member and contact the local police force if necessary. TSB branch staff have received specialist training to increase their confidence in responding to disclosures of domestic abuse and will provide victims with access to a safe space in their branch. As restrictions ease, it’s vital that access to specialist domestic abuse support is readily accessible.” Sue Harper, head of domestic abuse prevention at Hestia, said: “During the pandemic, self-isolation has given abusers a new method of control over victims making it very difficult for them to get the help they need.
Hestia has seen domestic abuse cases surge in the past year. The scheme was initially developed during the coronavirus pandemic in response to people suffering domestic abuse being trapped at home with their abusers. The scheme has been rolled out following three pilots in TSB’s Worcestershire, Herefordshire and Shropshire branches over the past six months.ĭomestic abuse prevention charity Hestia partnered with the bank and local police forces to roll out the scheme. TSB said the initiative will enable more people to find help on their local high street, particularly as lockdown restrictions ease across the UK. Domestic abuse survivors can access “safe spaces” in nearly 300 TSB branches where they will receive specialist support, the bank has announced.
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