Hestia is raising awareness about how everyone can take action on gender-based violence, in partnership with its Safe Space partners including Metro Bank. Metro Bank store colleagues have been trained to offer a Safe Space to domestic abuse victims, many of whom are also victims of economic abuse by their partners. The support is available in 49 of the Bank’s stores*.
Safe Spaces are part of the UK Says No More campaign organised by Hestia. 16 Days of Activism offers key advice and practical steps for anyone wishing to help. The campaign includes everything from writing to your local MP to ask them how they plan to tackle violence against women and girls in your area; downloading the Bright Sky app which offers advice and support to family, friends and colleagues of anyone experiencing domestic abuse, to downloading the NO MORE conversation guide for parents to help them facilitate chats about healthy relationships with their children.
“Anyone visiting a Metro Bank Safe Space store and at risk of domestic violence can access a private space and phone to call a helpline, support service or loved one”, commented Aisling Kane, Metro Bank’s Managing Director of Retail & Business Banking. “We are proud to support the 16 Days of Activism campaign and would encourage everyone to get involved.”
Sue Harper, Deputy Director of Domestic Abuse & Sexual Violence Prevention, Hestia, said: “16 Days of Activism helps everyone learn more about gender-based violence. For those experiencing domestic abuse, finding a safe space can be a lifeline. We have heard countless stories from survivors who were unable to even make a phone call without being monitored. Popping into a local Safe Space may be the only time when they’re not watched.”
Anyone wanting to find the nearest Safe Space to their home should visit https://uksaysnomore.org/safespaces
*The participating Metro Bank stores are Ashford, Basildon, Bath, Birmingham, Bradford, Bristol, Bromley, Cardiff Newport Road, Cardiff Queen Street, Chiswick, Clapham High Street, Colchester, Crawley, Croydon, Ealing, Eastbourne, Edgware, Fulham Broadway, Hammersmith, Harrow, Hemel Hempstead, Holborn, Hounslow, Ilford, Kingston, Leicester, Liverpool, Liverpool Street, Luton, Maidstone, Manchester, Merry Hill, Milton Keynes , Moorgate, Newbury, Orpington, Oxford, Peterborough, Putney, Reading, Sheffield, Slough, Solihull, Southall, Swindon, Tunbridge Wells, Watford, Wimbledon, Wolverhampton and Wood Green.