UK supermarket workers should be trained to recognize domestic abuse code words from victims
Supermarket workers ‘should be trained to recognize domestic abuse code’
UK supermarket workers should be trained to recognize domestic abuse code words from victims whose only opportunity to speak out may be during the weekly shop, the victims’ commissioner said.
Dame Vera Baird told the House of Commons Home Affairs Committee «you may be a very controlled person but the likelihood is you are sent out to buy the food, and also of course pharmacies».
She added the country should adopt the French model of having emergency provision in supermarkets and suggested setting up a code word or phrase.
After the first week of lockdown, domestic abuse charity Refuge said there had been a 25% increase in calls to the National Abuse Helpline and online requests.
The government has clarified that abuse victims will be allowed to leave their homes to seek help despite the restrictions and said it would provide £2m in extra funding to support abuse charities.
