Domestic abuse victims can 'Ask for Ani'
20th January 2021
Domestic abuse victims can 'Ask for Ani' at pharmacies as codeword for needing help
More than 250,000 domestic abuse offences were recorded in England and Wales between March and June last year.
From Thursday, anyone who is suffering domestic abuse will be able to ask for support without their abusers or other members of the public knowing, The Daily Telegraph reports.
As soon as they "Ask for Ani" they will be led into a private consulting room where they will be put in touch with the police, relevant support services or helplines.
The government-backed scheme is similar to the "Ask for Angela" one launched by the Metropolitan Police in bars, pubs and restaurants to prevent sexual violence.
It follows another initiative launched in May by the charity Hestia which saw safe spaces installed in the consultation rooms of more than 5,000 pharmacies nationwide.
According to figures from the Office for National Statistics (ONS), one in five of the offences reported during and straight after the first national lockdown were related to domestic abuse.
Forces in England and Wales recorded more than 250,000 domestic violence crimes between March and June last year.
View current news
RANSS
sign up/login